Modern deployment methodologies aim to reduce risks associated with releasing new software versions, ensuring that users have a seamless experience and any negative impact from changes is minimized. The principal deployment strategies are:

A/B Testing (or split testing)

A/B testing involves deploying two different versions of an application feature to compare their performance directly. Typically, one version (A) represents the current iteration, while the other (B) embodies the new change. Users are randomly assigned to one of the versions, and their interaction is monitored to determine which version performs better in terms of user experience, conversion rates, or other KPIs.

Benefits:

• Direct comparison: You can compare two variations head-to-head in a real-world environment.
• Data-driven decisions: Decisions about feature releases or changes are based on actual user data.
• Risk reduction: If version B performs poorly, only a subset of users is affected.

Feature flags (or feature toggles)

Feature flags allow developers to toggle a feature on or off without having to redeploy the code. They provide granular control over feature releases, letting teams release a feature to specific user groups or environments.