What distinguishes alpha testing from beta testing?

Alpha testing is characterized as a type of internal testing conducted in a controlled environment and typically occurs before the product is released to external users. It is primarily performed by the development team or internal testers to identify bugs and issues in the software. The goal during alpha testing is to ensure that the product meets its specifications and is functioning correctly under various scenarios before it reaches a wider audience.

On the other hand, beta testing takes place in a real-world environment with actual end-users who are not part of the development team. This phase allows for feedback from users who will interact with the software in casual settings, thus providing insights into potential usability issues and functional concerns that might not surface in more controlled scenarios.

The distinction between these two testing phases lies in the environment in which they are conducted and the audience performing the tests. Alpha is about catching major errors internally, while beta provides an opportunity to gather user feedback and identify any remaining issues before final release.