What is a back release?

A back-release is a process or set of actions aimed at rolling back (reverting) changes in software to a previous, stable state.

Main situations where a back-release may be required:

Critical errors: Detection of defects in the new version that significantly disrupt the functionality or availability of the system.
Performance: The new version negatively impacts system performance.
Integration issues: The new version causes conflicts with other systems.
Business reasons: Unforeseen changes in business requirements or processes.

The back-release process typically includes:

Identification of the last stable version: Determining the build or version that worked correctly before the problematic changes.
Stopping the current version: Halting services or applications using the new version.
Deploying the previous version: Installing and configuring the last stable version.
Data recovery (if necessary): Restoring databases or other data to a state compatible with the previous version.
Testing: Checking the functionality and stability of the restored version.
Monitoring: Tracking the system's operation after rollback.

Important aspects of a back-release:

Back-release plan: Having a clear, documented action plan.
Automation: Using automation tools to speed up and ensure the reliability of the process.
Backup: Up-to-date backups of data and configurations.
Communication: Informing interested parties about the progress and results of the back-release.