Alpha: internal test version is not generally released to the outside, there will be many Bug testers generally use only.
Beta: Beta is also a version of this stage will always adding new features. After the launch of Alpha version.
RC: (Release Candidate) As the name suggests it is used in the software release candidate!. The platform is the Release Candidate. RC version will not add new features, mainly focused on debugging.
GA: General Availability, officially released version, in foreign countries are used to illustrate the release version of GA.
RTM: (Release to Manufacture) is to plant a large number of tablet version, content with the official version is the same, but there is also a limit RTM version, evaluation version. But the main and official version of the program code is the same.
OEM: With the computer is to give computer makers trafficking, which is a random version. Only random device shipments, not retail. Only a new installation, not an operating system upgrade from the old. Unlike packaged retail edition fine, usually only one side CD and instructions (power of attorney).
RVL: known as the official version, in fact, RVL is not a version of the name. It is a Chinese / English document break out.
EVAL: The EVAL circulating on the network version, and "evaluation version" is similar to the function and the retail version is no different.
RTL: Retail (Retail) is the real official version, the official version of the retail shelves. I386 file in the installation disk there is a folder eula.txt, finally there is a line EULAID, is your version. For example, Simplified Chinese official version is EULAID: WX.4_PRO_RTL_CN, Traditional Chinese official version is WX.4_PRO_RTL_TW. Where: If it is the beginning of the official version WX, WB beginning of the beta.. _PRE, on behalf of Home Edition; _PRO, on behalf of Pro.
α, β, λ used to represent software testingDuring three phases, the first phase [alpha] is generally used only for internal testing; beta] is the second phase, has eliminated most of the imperfections of the software, but there are still shortcomings and gaps may still exist, generally available only to a specific group of users to test use; λ is the third stage, when the product is already quite mature, in some places just do further optimization can be listed issuers.
And today I also saw a MySQL version called DMR, and senseless.
In fact, it is an acronym for Development Milestone Releases Milestone's DMR version!
Ref:
https://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql-development-cycle/en/development-milestone-releases.html
http://www.blogjava.net/RomulusW/archive/2008/05/04/197985.html