Can you explain the concept of a release in the software development process?

A release is a stage in the software development process when a product version is considered ready for distribution and use by end users. Typically, a release includes:

• Completion of development and testing of features.
• Building and packaging the application.
• Launching a version with a specific number (e.g., 1.0.0).
• Publishing in app stores (such as the App Store for iOS) or on other platforms.

For iOS, a release involves passing Apple's review, uploading the build to App Store Connect, and subsequently publishing the app for users. A release can be public or internal (for example, for testing in TestFlight).