Release notes are documents distributed with software products, sometimes when the product is still under development or trial (e.g., beta release). For products that have been used by clients, release notes are sent to customers when updates are released.
Video Release notes
Purpose and Responsibility
Release notes are documents shared with end users, customers, and clients of an organization. The definition of the term 'End User', 'Client' and 'Customer' is very relatively natural and may have multiple interpretations based on specific contexts. For example, the Quality Assurance group in a software development organization can be defined as an internal customer. They specify corrections, changes or improvements made to services or products provided by the company. This document is usually circulated only after the product or service is thoroughly tested and approved against the specifications provided by the development team. However, this document may also be provided as an artifact accompanying delivery for System Testing and System Integration Testing and other managed environments primarily with reference to information technology organizations.
Release notes may also contain test results and information about test procedures. This type of information gives readers a more confident release note in the repair/change done; this information also allows implementers of change to perform basic acceptance tests.
Maps Release notes
Content and Formats
There is no standard format for release notes that are followed across different organizations. Organizations typically adopt their own format styles based on the requirements and types of information to be circulated. The contents of the release notes also vary according to the release type. For products that are in testing and newly released stages, content is usually more descriptive than releasing notes for bug fixes and feature enhancements, which are usually short. The release notes may include the following sections:
- Header - Document Name (ie Release Notes), product name, release number, release date, note date, note version, etc.
- Overview - A brief overview of products and changes, without any other formal documentation.
- Destination - A brief summary of the purpose of the release notes with a list of what's new in this release, including bug fixes and new features.
- Summary of Problems - A brief description of the bug or upgrade in the release.
- Steps to Reproduce - The steps that follow when a bug is found.
- Resolution - A brief description of the modifications/improvements made to fix the bug.
- End-User Impact - What different actions the end-user requires. This should include whether other functions are affected by this change.
- Improve Your Impact - Changes are required in the daily process of managing the software.
- Notes - Notes about installing software or hardware, product updates and documentation (including documentation updates)
- Disclaimer - Enterprise and standard product related messages. for example.; freeware, anti-piracy, duplication etc. See also Disclaimer.
- Contacts - Supports contact information.
The release notes are usually a brief summary of recent changes, bug improvements and fixes in certain software releases. This is not a substitute for the user guide. Release notes are often written in present tense and provide clear, correct, and complete information.
See also
- Changelog
- README
Link
- How to write release notes
- How should release a note be written?
- How to Prepare Release Notes
- GNOME Release Notes
- Apache Maven Release Project Notes
- Write release notes, migration guides, FAQs, and documentation entries for TPTP
Source of the article : Wikipedia