![]() ![]() ![]() Patches for proprietary software are typically distributed as executable files instead of source code. Patch management is a part of lifecycle management, and is the process of using a strategy and plan of what patches should be applied to which systems at a specified time. In some special cases updates may knowingly break the functionality or disable a device, for instance, by removing components for which the update provider is no longer licensed. For minor changes to software, it is often easier and more economical to distribute patches to users rather than redistributing a newly recompiled or reassembled program.Īlthough meant to fix problems, poorly designed patches can sometimes introduce new problems (see software regressions). Even when the source code is available, patching makes possible the installation of small changes to the object program without the need to recompile or reassemble. Someone unfamiliar with the program being patched may install a patch using a patch utility created by another person who is the Admin. This demands a thorough understanding of the inner workings of the object code by the person creating the patch, which is difficult without close study of the source code. Patching makes possible the modification of compiled and machine language object programs when the source code is unavailable. Patches may be permanent (until patched again) or temporary. They may be applied to program files on a storage device, or in computer memory. Patches may be installed either under programmed control or by a human programmer using an editing tool or a debugger. ![]() ![]() The majority of patches are provided by software vendors for operating system and application updates. Patches are often written to improve the functionality, usability, or performance of a program. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, with such patches usually being called bugfixes or bug fixes. ( February 2018) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī patch is a set of changes to a computer program or its supporting data designed to update, fix, or improve it. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. ![]()
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