A canary release is a strategy used in software development and deployment to mitigate risks associated with releasing new versions of an application. It involves rolling out a new version of the software to a small group of users, typically employees or a subset of customers, to gather feedback and monitor its performance.
The term "canary release" comes from the practice of using canaries in coal mining. Miners would take canaries down into the mines with them, as the birds were sensitive to toxic gases. If the canary stopped singing or died, it indicated the presence of dangerous gases, and the miners could take action to protect themselves.
Similarly, in software development, a canary release acts as an early warning system. By deploying the new version of an application to a small group of users, developers can identify and address any issues or bugs before releasing it to the entire user base. This approach minimizes the impact of potential problems and allows for iterative improvements based on user feedback.