Folks,
If you are an MSDN Subscribers, there’s a exciting news for you that VS 2010 RC (Release Candidate) is available now.
Well, I receive a lot of question regarding “what’s the CTP, Beta, RC, RTM? How does it differ”. Let take a look at the brief description below.
Usually when software company plans to develop a product, they will often create and distribute an CTP (Community Technical Preview) version. The objective of the vendor releasing the CTP version is to distribute this version to the community to gather feedback and idea. Usually the the software is still very “rough” and you will find tons of bug there. As analogy the food in the kitchen is not ready to be served, it is just for you to taste a bit. Don’t taste to much, it will cause you stomachache.
As a period of time receiving feedback from the community, the vendor will improve the product in term of adding new functionality, improve performance, as well as bug fixing. This version is what we usually call Beta. In some case the beta product could be delivered as two version, Beta 1 and Beta 2. The objective of this Beta release itself is to allow client to test the software, gathering feedback and comment. Of course it potentially will go on with new added features. As analogy, the food is 60-70% to finish. You could experience the look and feel now.
RC is the version where the product is about to release. There will no more new additional feature in this phase. Usually the vendor will just do some performance improvement and bug fixing related work to ensure the final product will work well. As analogy, the food is 90% finish.
RTM indicates that the product is ready to be manufacture, reproduce, and distribute it to the market. People are welcomed to purchase and use this product in production environment, the vendor will take care of the support if needed. The food is 100% done. Let’s dine it :)
As I mentioned earlier, currently VS 2010 is on RC version. We are all waiting for the RTM version to be delivered.
Cheers,
Wely