Source: Stockvault
An update is the updating of the version of a software, information or version. In the case of software updates, for example, a distinction is made between security and firmware updates, and in the case of information updates, for example, between situation, news and status updates. Version updates usually refer to technical devices.
What Are Updates and What Do They Do?
An update is always either an update, a successor model or an improvement to the previous version.
For example, an update adds functions that were not known at the time the previous version was released. The release of a successor model usually represents an improvement (performance/security) at the same time, but can also represent only a modification of the predecessor model, i.e. it only affects the appearance/surface/formulation and does not result in a direct improvement. Most frequently, however, an update is a direct improvement of the older version. This can range from the smallest changes to a complete overhaul of all features. It is important that the update does not fundamentally change the original purpose or function.
In the following, we will mainly focus on general software updates.
What Risks Arise if Updates Are Not Carried Out?
Updates, especially security updates for software, frequently close new or newly discovered security gaps.
This can have many different causes and effects. For example, the rest of software B, apart from our non-updated software A, is constantly evolving. This can lead to compatibility problems, which can be exploited as a vulnerability by people in the know if, in our example, software A can no longer communicate with software B.
Of course, updates can also have the opposite effect and thus cause the same problem. If only our example software A receives an update, but the rest of software B does not, and this was not taken into account in the update, this can also lead to compatibility problems.
For this reason, the versions of the other software used are always taken into account when troubleshooting.
Outdated software can therefore lead to errors, e.g. in the form of connection interruptions, which in the worst case can cause incompatibility with previously used services. Among other things, this can also lead to security risks.
In addition, a lack of software development is always a “death sentence” sooner or later, as the functions offered are always taken up by other software at some point and implemented in a better/more up-to-date way, making the old software completely obsolete. As updates are often performance-oriented, neglecting them also reduces the overall performance of the software in the long term.
Ultimately, however, sooner or later it always means that unused software takes up storage space that can be put to better use elsewhere. It can also lead to legal difficulties if the software no longer complies with current legal standards or if the incompatibilities mentioned above restrict the user experience.
How Do You Carry out an Update?
Updates can be carried out manually or automatically, e.g. time-controlled or according to fixed specifications. Most software has a way of obtaining its updates automatically. As with the manual version, this can be done to varying degrees. In general, the publisher of the software publishes the update, whereupon, in the automatic way, the software performs an automatic check the next time it is started, notices the new update and downloads it. In the manual way, notifications are often sent by the publisher to registered users to inform them of the new version. It is then the end user’s responsibility to download these updates.
Depending on the parameters of the update, the update can be installed by partially or completely deleting or even uninstalling the old version, overwriting it or, in rare cases, installing it in parallel. In theory, an update can also be carried out completely manually by the user by making all changes themselves.
Conclusion
In summary, it can be said that software updates almost always have a purpose and should not be neglected, as they should always fulfill a purpose that has the best interests of the user in mind. This may concern the user interface, usability, legal protection, security and compatibility.
Responsible for the content of this article is Robyn Bloß.
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