What is the purpose of a release branch in a branching strategy?

The purpose of a release branch in a branching strategy is to stabilize and finalize the features that are intended for the current release. This branch is specifically created once the development of new features has reached a point where those features are ready to be integrated and tested for release.

By having a designated release branch, developers can work on bug fixes, minor enhancements, and ensure that everything is stable without disrupting ongoing feature development that may happen in the main or other branches. The release branch serves as an isolated workspace where changes can be made, validated through testing, and prepared for deployment. This practice contributes to a more structured and orderly release process, allowing teams to manage changes effectively and ensure a smoother transition into production.

Other options address different aspects of a branching strategy but do not align with the specific purpose of a release branch. For instance, creating parallel development for features typically occurs in feature branches, while addressing critical errors in production is usually handled through hotfix branches. Tracking software changes for auditing may involve version control practices but is not the primary focus of a release branch.