What is the term for testing software during its development phase, before final release?

The term for testing software during its development phase, before final release, is alpha testing. This type of testing is typically conducted by internal teams, such as developers or quality assurance personnel, in a controlled environment to identify and fix bugs or issues before the software is made available to external users. Alpha testing focuses on verifying the software's functionality and performance in a scenario that simulates real-world usage.

This early testing stage helps ensure that any major flaws are addressed prior to moving on to beta testing, where the software is released to a limited external audience for further evaluation. Alpha testing is crucial as it allows for an iterative development process, where feedback can be rapidly incorporated to improve the software before it reaches a wider audience.