Is the product demo genuinely functional and stable, or is it merely a 'one-off' demonstration?

Let's put it this way, there are two scenarios. I'll give you an analogy, and you'll understand; it's like the difference between making a movie and building a house.

The first type is a "one-shot" demo, which we call a "movie set" demo.

Think about those magnificent ancient palaces or European streetscapes in movies. From the camera's perspective, wow, they're flawless, just like the real thing. But if you go behind the set, you'll find it's all supported by wooden frames and foam boards.

This type of demo is exactly like that. It's designed to perfectly showcase a "main storyline," such as "user registration -> browse products -> place order -> payment successful." As long as you click through step-by-step according to the script set by the presenter, it runs incredibly smoothly and looks very impressive.

But if you deviate slightly from the script, for example, by clicking "forgot password" midway, or entering strange characters into an input field, it might immediately crash, freeze, or jump to a blank page. That's because the "backend" structure isn't built; those unexpected scenarios simply haven't been implemented.

Why create this kind of demo? It's fast and low-cost. It's mainly for showing investors or bosses, quickly validating a business idea, and telling a good story. An engineer might "sketch" out such a "set" in a week, but to truly build it into a habitable house would take half a year.

The second type is a "truly functional" demo, which we can call a "show home" demo.

A show home in a housing development might not be large, its decor might not be the most luxurious, and it might not have all the furniture and appliances. However, its plumbing and electricity are functional, its walls are solid, and its foundation is stable. You can actually turn on the tap, flush the toilet, and try cooking in the kitchen. You can walk around any room, switch on any light, and it won't collapse.

This type of demo is a "Minimum Viable Product" (MVP). It might have limited features, a simple interface, and even quite a few bugs. However, its core logic is real. If you register an account, a new user record genuinely appears in the database; if you place an order, the backend inventory truly decreases. It's small but complete, with all its vital organs.

Why create this kind of demo? To validate product feasibility, for real users to use, and to gather feedback. Its purpose is for "use," not just for "show." It serves as the foundation for all subsequent feature iterations, the true groundwork.

So, the next time you see a product demo, you can be a little "playful" – don't just follow the presenter's pace. Try clicking other buttons or typing something random into an input field. You'll probably be able to tell whether what you're seeing is a magnificent "movie set" or a simple but sturdy "show home."