In the releases below, features refer to functionality.


cccccc

Pre-alpha refers to all activities performed during the software project before formal testing. These activities can include requirements analysis, software design, software development, and unit testing. In typical open source development, there are several types of pre-alpha versions. Milestone versions include specific sets of functions and are released as soon as the feature is complete.

Alpha
The alpha phase of the release life cycle is the first phase of software testing (alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, used as the number 1). In this phase, developers generally test the software using white-box techniques. Additional validation is then performed using black-box or gray-box techniques, by another testing team. Moving to black-box testing inside the organization is known as alpha release.[2][better source needed]

Alpha software is not thoroughly tested by the developer before it is released to customers. Alpha software may contain serious errors, and any resulting instability could cause crashes or data loss.[3] Alpha software may not contain all of the features that are planned for the final version.[4] In general, external availability of alpha software is uncommon in proprietary software, while open source software often has publicly available alpha versions. The alpha phase usually ends with a feature freeze, indicating that no more features will be added to the software. At this time, the software is said to be feature complete. A beta test is carried out following acceptance testing at the supplier's site (alpha test) and immediately prior to general release of the software as a product

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle


ccccccccc

In software, a feature has several definitions.[1] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers defines the term feature in IEEE 829 as "A distinguishing characteristic of a software item (e.g., performance, portability, or functionality)

A piece of software is said to be feature-rich when it has many options and functional capabilities available to the user. Progressive disclosure is a technique applied to reduce the potential confusion caused by displaying a wealth of features at once.

Sometimes if a piece of software is very feature-rich, that can be seen as a bad thing - see feature creep and software bloat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_feature