Every software application undergoes various changes over time and as a result, we get patches/ hotfixes, updates, and new version releases. Those changes can be either architectural/ technical changes to suit the current technology landscape or functional changes to meet end-users’ demanding needs. An update or a new release of a software application can consist of either of those changes or maybe both.
Software applications that do not meet time to market when releasing updates and new versions and take a long time to release updates or new versions become obsolete. They vanish into thin air without a trace. That’s why giants like Microsoft have reduced their major release cycle from 4 years to 3 years and also provide major Updates to the current release bi-annually so that the end-users are up-to-date and on track. Not only new releases and updates, but they also have to provide patches/ hotfixes for identified bugs/ vulnerabilities in order to stay competitive in the game.