Are you confused on why there's many different versions of Valve's Proton? The compatibility layer that runs Windows games on Linux / SteamOS and Steam Deck. Here's a little guide on what it all means.
It’s basically Valve’s testing center for an eventual stable release. Not everything makes it in to stable, but a lot does. Valve also works very closely with CrossOver (who develops WINE, which Proton is based on).
EDIT: CrossOver is the product that Codeweavers produce. That is essentially the proprietary upstream of WINE. That code trickles down to the open source WINE and Proton projects.
It’s basically Valve’s testing center for an eventual stable release. Not everything makes it in to stable, but a lot does. Valve also works very closely with CrossOver (who develops WINE, which Proton is based on).
EDIT: CrossOver is the product that Codeweavers produce. That is essentially the proprietary upstream of WINE. That code trickles down to the open source WINE and Proton projects.