What is the user release date used for when it comes to versions?

[Mike Solomon]

fixVersions seem to have two different dates:

• releaseDate
• userReleaseDate

I set the release date in the Version panel of my backlog

The user release date seems to always be set to 1 day before my release date

My question is... what is the user release date intended to be used for?

[João Nunes · Accepted solution]

Hi Mike, how are you?

The userReleaseDate field holds the Release date for that version. Before the version is released, that date is the one set when you created the version. After the release, that field is updated to the date that the version was really released on.

As an example: I'm creating 'BetaVersion' and I set the start date for 22/May/18 and the release date for 30/May/18. So that field is 30/May/18. If I release that version on 25/May/18, the userReleaseDate field will be updated to 25/May/18.

Regarding the difference between the dates in the releaseDate and the userReleaseDate, that is a known bug. We have this open ticket which aims to resolve that bug. Please access that page, click on 'Start watching this issue' to receive all the updates on that ticket and feel free to share your thoughts on the comment section.

Let me know if that helped you.

Kind regards, 
João Nunes
Jira Support Team

[Mike Solomon]

Hi Joao,

I am well :) I think you did a good job explaining what the release date field is for however my question is about the user release date field.

Versions seem to include both a "releaseDate" field and a "userReleaseDate" field. The userReleaseDate seems to be automatically set to 1 day before the releaseDate field (see the screenshot in the original question). 

I'm not sure what the user release date field it is meant to be used for -- could you help explain that to me?

[João Nunes]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your update!

Sorry if I was not clear in my explaining but the field I was referring to is the userReleaseDate. This field will display the date the user set to be the release date before the version is released. After the version is finally released, that field is updated and mirror the same information as the releaseDate.

Let me know if there is anything else we could help you with.

Kind regards,
João Nunes
Jira Support Team

[Mike Solomon]

Ah I understand! I misread your initial post; your original post does in fact answer my question. The bug you mentioned in your second post helps me understand why my instance is not behaving as expected. Thank you for answering my question :)

[João Nunes]

Hi Mike, 

You're more than welcome :)

Nice to hear that :D I've updated the first reply so we have the bug ticket and the answer in the same place. 

Have a nice week!

João Nunes 

Jira Support Team.