What activities are included in the deployment of a software system?

The deployment of a software system encompasses a broad set of activities aimed at making the software usable in a production environment. The correct choice highlights the comprehensive nature of deployment, which includes several essential phases: release, install, activate, and retire.

Release refers to preparing the software for distribution, which often involves compiling the code, packaging it, and ensuring that all necessary components are included. Installation follows where the software is set up on the target systems. Activation is the process by which the deployed software is made operational, often requiring initialization steps or configuration. Finally, retire is included to cover the lifecycle management of the software, indicating that at some point, the software may need to be decommissioned and removed from use.

In contrast, focusing solely on installation does not capture the full scope of what deployment entails. Similarly, other options like testing and debugging, while crucial in the software development process, occur prior to deployment and are aimed at ensuring that the software is ready for release. Version tracking refers to keeping track of different versions of software but is not an activity associated with actual deployment.