Software Trial Test Before Launch

The process of testing a computer or software application by potential users in a real-world environment before its official release to the public is known as a Beta test.

Understanding Testing Phases

Different testing phases serve distinct purposes in software development:

• Alpha Test: This is typically the first phase of testing, conducted internally by the development team or QA engineers within the organization.
• Beta Test: This phase involves releasing the software to a select group of external users (beta testers) outside the development team. These users test the software in their own environments, providing feedback on bugs, usability, and performance before the commercial launch. This matches the question's description.
• Delta Test: This term is less common but often refers to testing the *changes* made to a system after modifications or updates, rather than the initial pre-launch trial.
• e-test: This is not a standard recognized term for pre-launch software testing phases.

Therefore, the trial test of a computer or software before the commercial launch, conducted by external users, is called a Beta test.