In software and application development, a gold version is the final stage
of software development and follows the
alpha
and
beta testing cycles of
software
development. The gold version is the final version of the software
as it will be released to the public. Most or all known
bugs prior to release
are fixed, and all intended functions for final release are implemented. Media
and developers will often use the phrase "gone gold" to announce a software
product's impending release.