The distinction between experiments and feature flags

Feature flags and experiments serve distinct roles in software development, acting as crucial tools for deployment and understanding user behavior, respectively. Feature flags provide a binary on-off mechanism to control feature releases, allowing teams to quickly respond to feedback and market demands without introducing complexity. In contrast, experiments delve into understanding user behavior and product performance through comprehensive data analysis, testing hypotheses, and uncovering insights. At Facebook, the evolution from simple feature flags to complex experiments highlighted the need to maintain simplicity in A/B testing while accommodating more rigorous experimentation. Statsig addresses this by clearly distinguishing between feature flags for immediate action and experiments for deeper inquiry, all within a unified platform that centralizes analysis, control, and real-time diagnostics. This approach ensures both a fast release process and a culture of continuous learning, allowing for effective decision-making without compromising development speed.