Menu

What are Software Release Notes in Testing?

What are Software Release Notes in Testing?

Software Release Notes ( or Release Notes) are documents shared and distributed by the Development team during the new release launch. The audience varies depending on the type of release.

For example, internal QA builds the audience would be QA team. For Public Release, the intended audience would be end users and the general public.

Software Release Notes

Release notes are documents that accompany a new software release, update, or patch. They provide end users, developers, and stakeholders with information about the changes made to a product.

What Do Release Notes Contain?

  • Version Number: Identifies the release version (e.g., v2.1.0).
  • Release Date: Specifies when the update was released.
  • New Features: Describes any new functionality added in the release.
  • Improvements: List performance enhancements or user interface changes.
  • Bug Fixes: Details about problems resolved since the last release.
  • Known Issues: Mentions any remaining problems that users should be aware of.
  • Instructions: May include installation or upgrade steps, especially for major changes.
  • Deprecations: Notes on removed or soon-to-be-removed features.

 

Sample Template

The template of Release notes consists of the following items:

Title

<Product Name>  <version> Release Notes

For example, if the release version is v2.0 and the Product name is DummyProduct.

DummyProduct v2.0 Release Notes

What’s New Section

This section consists of New Features updates that go in the newly released version. What would end users get in this version? Documentation and descriptions of new features are explained to the end user. Screenshots, demos are provided in this section.

What’s new in v2.0

Open source software even share the source code for the new features, new code  and changes done for existing code for the new features etc.

Improvements to Existing Features

This section consists of improvements and enhancements to existing functionality or features. Documentation and descriptions of what has changed and what improvements are made are explained to the end user. Screenshots, demos are provided.

Improvements can be in user flows, performance improvements, usability improvements, etc.

Know Issues

A list of known issues is noted in this section.

Bug Fixes

A list of bugs that are fixed in the released version, with a change log of the changes.

#Bug Number, Change Log

Open source software even shares the defect id, source code changes for the bug fixes, etc.

Security Patches

Security fixes and patches that go with the version for enhanced security.

Download Links

Download links of the new version software so that users can install. Upgrade instructions, if any, for the new release.

 

Release notes help users understand what has changed and how those changes might affect them. They are essential for transparency and effective software lifecycle management

Related Posts

Differences between RESTful and GraphQL APIs

Differences between RESTful and GraphQL APIs In today’s world of web and mobile applications, APIs play a crucial role in how data is shared between the client and the server. Two of the most popular approaches are RESTful APIs and GraphQL APIs. While both are designed to handle data communication, they work in very different […]

What is Agentic Testing

What is Agentic Testing?

What is Agentic Testing? Traditional manual and automated testing methods, while effective, can be time-consuming and limited in their ability to adapt to real-world complexities. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a new frontier in software testing has emerged — Agentic Testing. This revolutionary approach enables AI agents to take on a more active […]

Difference Between E-commerce and Q-commerce

Difference Between E-commerce and Q-commerce E-commerce E-commerce stands for “Electronic Commerce“. It is buying and selling goods or services using the internet. It involves transactions of products or services between businesses, consumers, or between consumers and businesses, through online platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and marketplaces. Q-commerce Q-commerce stands for “Quick Commerce.” It is […]