What type of testing do users perform during the initial testing of a newly released application?

In the context of software development, the correct answer pertains to the phase known as beta testing. During this phase, a group of end-users, often referred to as beta testers, engage with the software application in a real-world environment. This type of testing follows alpha testing and is crucial because it allows for the software to be evaluated by actual users who provide feedback on functionality, usability, and overall experience.

Beta testing serves several purposes: it offers insights into how the software performs in diverse user scenarios and can uncover defects that were not identified during earlier testing stages. This feedback is invaluable in refining the product before its official launch, helping to ensure that it meets user expectations and operational requirements.

The other types of testing have distinct roles in the software development life cycle. For instance, alpha testing is typically conducted by internal teams to identify bugs before moving to beta testing. Unit testing focuses on verifying the correctness of individual components of the software, while integration testing deals with ensuring that different pieces of software interact correctly. However, neither of these reflects the involvement and feedback from real users that is characteristic of beta testing.