Can you describe the main stages and procedures involved in releasing a software product?

The main stages of software release include:

1. Planning — defining requirements, goals, and timelines.
2. Development — writing code and creating functionality.
3. Testing — checking the product for errors and compliance with requirements (unit tests, integration, system, acceptance).
4. Build and integration — combining all components into a single product.
5. Release — preparing and publishing the product for end users.
6. Support and maintenance — fixing bugs, updates, and improvements after release.

Procedures may include version control, automation of build and testing, code review, deployment, and post-release monitoring.