Dark Launching
Dark launching is a software deployment technique where new features or code changes are released to production but kept hidden from users, typically through feature flags or toggles. It allows developers to test functionality in a real-world environment with live traffic without exposing it to end-users. This approach helps identify performance issues, bugs, or integration problems before a full rollout.
Developers should use dark launching when deploying high-risk features, conducting A/B testing, or gradually rolling out updates to minimize user impact. It's particularly valuable in large-scale applications where failures could affect many users, enabling safe experimentation and data collection. This methodology reduces deployment risks and allows for iterative improvements based on real usage data.