Alpha
Alpha may refer to any of the following:
1. An alpha is an early test version of a computer program or hardware device before the beta test in the software release life cycle. Alpha testing is often only done by the program developer or hardware manufacturer. Developers often only test parts or specific features that may eventually make it into the final product. At the end of the alpha cycle, a project is said to be feature complete. When it enters the beta stage, it's often released to a few testers or end-users outside the company.
Why is it called alpha?
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.
Should you pay for alpha access?
Generally, most developers don't charge for alpha access. If you find an alpha key on a site like eBay or someone on Discord is selling their beta access, be cautious; it's most likely a scam. Scam artists may sell fake copies of an alpha program or fake or disabled activation codes to unsuspecting people wanting to play a game before any of their friends.
Games being developed with the community's support may charge for alpha access. In these situations, you should only purchase the access from the developer. Never pay for beta access from a third party.
2. When describing color, the "A" in ARGB, RGBA (Red, Green, Blue, and Alpha), and HSLA (Hue, Saturation, Lightness, and Alpha), is short for alpha and indicates the color's level of transparency.
3. Alpha is also short for the alphabet to describe letters (e.g., a, b, c, d, etc.).
Alpha channel, Alpha founding, Alphanumeric, Beta, Computer abbreviations, Game terms, Gen alpha, RC, Software terms