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6.2.3 Differentiate between patches for operating system and application software

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PATCHES FOR OPERATING SYSTEM

A patch is a software update comprised code (or patched) into the code of an executable program. Typically, a patch is installed into an existing software program. Patches are often temporary fixes between full releases or a software package.

Patches may do any of the following:
  • Fix a software bug
  • Install new drivers
  • Address new security vulnerabilities
  • Address software stability issues
  • Upgrade the software

Software patches can be free or available for sale. Some companies deliver paches to registered users only. Patches are usually available as Internet downloads.

If the original source code is proprietary and not released to the general public, then patches are released as executable binary code. Patches alter the existing programming code by modifying it or replacing it completely.

Patches have been extremely important as a methodology for updating programs or new system security threats which appear regularly, especially in online environments. Formerly patches were installed manually. Today automatic updates are very popular and are available as self-installing packages from the software vendors support pages at their website.

Although patches can vary in size from several kilobytes to hundred of megabytes, patches are usually perceived as being rather small. Common to Microsoft Windows operating system large patches are generally named service packs, and can be over 100Mb.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Application software or simply applications, are often called productivity programs or end user programs because they enable the user to complete tasks such as creating documents, spreadsheets, databases, and publications, doing online research, sending email, designing graphics, running business, and even palying games.

Application software is specific to the task it is designed for and can be as simple as a calculator application or as complex as a word processing application.

The different types of application software are:


  1. Application suite: Has multiple applications bundled together. Related functions, features and user interfaces interact with each other.
  2. Enterprise Software: Addresses an organization’s needs and data flow in a huge distributed environment.
  3. Enterprise Infrastructure Software: Provides capabilities required to support enterprise software systems.
  4. Information Worker Software: Addresses individual needs required to manage and create information for individual projects within departments
  5. Content Access Software: Used to access contents and address a desire for published digital content and entertainment.
  6. Educational Software: Holds contents adopted for use by students
  7. Media Development Software: Addresses individual needs to generate and print electronic media for others to consume.





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