What best defines the acceptance stage of the SDLC?

The acceptance stage of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is characterized by the final deployment of software. This stage involves the transition from development to production, where the software is formally delivered to the end-users or clients. During acceptance, the focus is on ensuring that the software meets all specified requirements and is functioning as intended. This may involve final testing, user training, and the establishment of support processes.

Additionally, this stage is critical as it marks the official end of the development cycle and begins the software's operational life. Users will generally perform acceptance testing to confirm that the software is ready for full release and can handle real-world usage scenarios effectively. This ensures that the product not only meets technical specifications but is also usable and beneficial to the end-users.