Dark Launches
Dark launches are a software deployment technique where new features or code changes are released to production but hidden from end-users, typically through feature flags or toggles. This allows developers to test functionality in a real-world environment, monitor performance, and gather data without exposing incomplete or risky changes to the public. It's commonly used for A/B testing, gradual rollouts, and reducing deployment risks.
Developers should use dark launches when deploying high-risk features, conducting A/B tests to validate user behavior, or implementing gradual rollouts to minimize impact on users. It's particularly valuable in continuous delivery pipelines to ensure stability and performance before full release, and in large-scale applications where failures could have significant consequences.