Life Cycle

ProjectAlphaBetaCurrent StableOld StableEnd of Life
ManagementPreviewProductionMigrationCleanup
PackagingDevelopmentalActiveUnsupported

Project

Projects, such as Open-Source Software or a branch of 3rd-party software, generally have the following life cycle:

Project StatusStabilityFeature ChangesBreaking ChangesSecurity UpdatesBug FixesRecommended Upgrade
AlphaRapidly changingAdded or removedLikelyFeatures over securityWithin development goals
BetaOnly necessary changesAdded or removedLess LikelyBefore stableBefore stable
Current StableStable; production-readyAdded onlyNot expectedYesYes
Old StableMature; maintenance modeSecurity and critical bugs onlyNot expectedYesCritical onlyCurrent Stable
End of LifeNo changes will be madeNoneNoneNoNoCurrent Stable or Old Stable

Management

Management StatusUpgrade AssistanceForced UpgradeDescription
FromToFromTo
PreviewTechnical preview only
ProductionFull production support
MigrationOld StableCurrent StableUpgrade window
End of LifeCurrent StableEnd of LifeOld Stable
Old Stable
CleanupPackages removed

Packaging

Packaging StatusRelease FrequencyRebuild on Updated Dependencies
DevelopmentalIntermittentYes, when possible
ActiveWeeklyYes
UnsupportedNeverNo