This is a common question, and the answer depends on the context of the software you are downloading, but generally, the terms relate to the **stability and development stage** of the software:
### 1. Snapshot Download Bundle
* **What it is:** A "Snapshot" version is essentially a **development or pre-release build**. The version number often ends with a suffix like `-SNAPSHOT`.
* **Stability:** It contains the **absolute latest** changes, features, and bug fixes from the development branch, but it has **not been fully tested or finalized**. It's a "snapshot" of the code at a specific, recent point in time.
* **Changes:** It is expected to **change frequently**. If you download a snapshot bundle today and another one tomorrow, they will likely contain different code.
* **Who should use it:**
* **Developers** who want to work with the very latest features.
* **Testers** who want to find bugs in pre-release code.
* Users who need a fix for a bug that has been resolved recently but hasn't made it into a stable release yet.
* **Use with caution**, as these builds can be unstable, buggy, or incomplete.
### 2. Non-Snapshot Download Bundle (Release/Stable)
* **What it is:** This is typically referred to as a **Stable, Release, or Final** version.
* **Stability:** It has been **fully tested, verified, and is considered stable and reliable**. It represents a definitive, unchanging version of the software.
* **Changes:** Once a non-snapshot version is released (e.g., version 2.0), it **will never change**. Any updates will come in a new release version (e.g., version 2.0.1 or 2.1).
* **Who should use it:**
* **Almost everyone!**
* Users who need a reliable, production-ready version of the software.
* Users for whom stability is more important than having the absolute newest features.
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### Summary: Which One to Use?
| Feature | Snapshot Bundle | Non-Snapshot (Release) Bundle |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Stability** | **Low** - May have bugs | **High** - Stable and reliable |
| **Code** | Latest development code | Fully tested, production-ready code |
| **Use Case** | Development, testing, early access | **General use, production systems** |
| **Recommended?**| Only if you know what you are doing | **Yes, for most users** |
**Recommendation:**
For general use, and unless you have a specific reason to be on the cutting edge (like testing a new feature or urgently needing a very recent bug fix), you should **always choose the Non-Snapshot (Release/Stable) download bundle.**
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