pro、pre、test、dev环境

一开始，你可能觉得你只需要一个环境，well, at most two: 一个Dev环境（aka ur PC） + one server. 但是随着项目的发展，可能需要更多的环境，那它们是什么，又有什么用处呢？

1. 环境的定义
Environment – In hosted software (eg web site/application, database not shrinkwrap software) development, environment refers to a server tier designated to a specific stage in a release process. 

2. a typical product release cycle

Development Environment

This is where the software is developed. In some situations this could be the developer’s desktop, in other situations this would be a server shared by several developers working together on the same project. This environment should resemble the production environment as much as possible to prevent issues were the software acts differently on production.

Testing Environment

After the application was developed to an agreed stage it is released to the testing environment. This is where the testers ensures the quality of the application, open bugs and review bug fixes. This environment must resemble the production environment accurately, because this is the last safe place to find and fix environment-related bugs.

User Acceptance Test Environment (UAT)

In a client-vendor projects, the software then moves from internal testing (done by the vendor’s testers) to client testing. This is where the client’s testers verify the quality of the application and send issues for the vendor to fix. This is also where the client assesses the application and can request changes to better fit his requirements. Some clients do not require UAT.

Staging Environment (AKA pre production)

The staging site is used to assemble, test and review new versions of a website before it goes into production. The staging phase of the software lifecycle is often tested on hardware that mirrors hardware used in the production environment. The staging site is often different from the development site, and provides a final QA zone that is separate from the development or production environments. 

Production Environment

This is where the application goes out to the world and become production. Content can be updated from the staging environment in to Production Environment, when available, as well as new application functionality and bug fixes release from UAT or staging environment.

So, how many do I need?

Note that small to medium software projects might not need all environments, on the other hand, from time to time you might want to add additional environments (for example to accommodate separate concurrent versions of the same application, or stress/load environment)

To make things even more complex, you might not need to have all these environments up and running on the same time – you might want to buy the Staging Environment hardware only after the first release to the Testing Environment, in order to save money.

3. Conclusion

The main purpose of these environments is to improve the development, testing, and release processes in client-server applications.

There is no magic number of environments that make everything work OK. hopefully, with this article, you can determine what best suites your project.

It is the job of the architect, project manager, operations manager or change manager (pick one) to determine which environments are needed, to make sure these environments are in place and on time, in order to make the developers, testers, and client's life easier and happier.

 

如果想深入了解为什么需要这么多环境，可以参考：
https://blog.csdn.net/linzhiqiang0316/article/details/82749649

ref:
http://spacebug.com/effective_development_environments/