A support engineer recommended I install the latest beta version of FME. I don’t like to use beta versions of software – how reliable is an FME beta
From Fmepedia
Q) A support engineer recommended I install the latest beta version of FME. I don’t like to use beta versions of software – how reliable is an FME beta?
A) Certainly reliable enough for testing. The decision whether to use it or not for production work is your own. Base it on these facts...
- We have QA tests built into the compilation of our products to ensure that a new beta build will function correctly (compared to previous test results), and no slower than it did previously. So any faults are usually in items not covered by our tests (eg new functions).
- We create a new build every day; if it fails the QA tests it is not released onto the web site, so you will never have access to a really bad build.
- After the QA tests a beta product should not contain disastrous mistakes, but it will be untested by human hand.
- The closer to an upcoming official release (approx June and December) the more tested and reliable the beta version will be.
- Functionality in a beta product may be removed, replaced or otherwise changed in later beta versions, at Safe's discretion.
- The official releases of the FME will have undergone an additional series of tests to ensure functionality and usability.
The official statement on our web site currently states... "IMPORTANT NOTE: FME beta builds offer the latest features and enhancements that FME has to offer. Although each FME beta build is put through a testing regime prior to being made publicly available, it is not tested as thoroughly as an official release of FME. For mission-critical production streams, we recommend using official FME releases."
