What Does 'Golden Master' Mean?
A “golden master,” also known as a “golden image” or “golden copy,” is the final version of a software product that has been thoroughly tested and approved for release. It is the reference point against which all future versions of the software will be compared, and it serves as a stable and reliable baseline for future development.
The term “golden master” is often used in the context of software development, but it can also refer to any final version of a product that has been thoroughly vetted and deemed ready for release. In this sense, a “golden master” represents the highest level of quality and reliability that a product can achieve.
The process of creating a Golden Master involves a number of steps, including:
- Development: The software is developed and tested through various stages, including alpha, beta, and release candidate testing.
- Testing: The software is subjected to a variety of tests to ensure that it is stable, reliable, and meets all requirements. These tests may include unit tests, integration tests, performance tests, and user acceptance tests.
- Approval: Once the software has passed all necessary tests and has been deemed ready for release, it is approved by the appropriate parties, such as the development team, product management, and quality assurance.
- Release: The approved software is released to the public or to a specific group of users.
It is worth noting that a “golden master” is not necessarily the final version of a software product. It may be updated or modified in the future as new features are added or bugs are fixed. However, any changes made to a Golden Master must go through the same rigorous testing and approval process to ensure that the product remains stable and reliable.
In essence, a “golden master” is the final, thoroughly tested version of a software product that serves as a reference point for future development and provides a reliable baseline for quality and reliability.
