What does the term 'Beta' refer to in programming?

The term 'Beta' in programming typically refers to a preliminary version of software that is released for testing purposes. During the beta phase, the software is usually made available to a limited audience outside of the development team to identify any bugs or issues that need to be fixed before the final version is released. This phase often includes feedback from users, which can help improve the software’s functionality and user experience.

In contrast, a programming language is a set of rules and syntax used to write software code, while a type of algorithm refers to a specific method used for problem-solving or data processing. A debugging tool, on the other hand, is a software utility used to test and debug programs rather than representing a version of the software itself. Therefore, the association of 'Beta' with a preliminary software version is key to understanding its role in the software development lifecycle.