Definition
"Beta software" is a version of software released to a limited group of external users for testing and feedback. It's like a sneak peek of a movie before it's released to everyone. Beta versions are more stable than alpha versions, but may still contain bugs. The purpose is to identify issues and gather user feedback before the final release. Beta testers provide valuable insights to improve the software. It is a crucial step in the software development process. Think of it as a trial run.