In the Software Development Life Cycle, software maintenance is considered a subset of the development process. Its major purpose is to alter and update software applications after they have been delivered in order to remove faults and enhance performance, among other things. Software serves as a representation of the actual world. When the actual world changes, the software must be updated in order to keep up with the times.
Why there is need of software maintenance?
Your software may need maintenance for a variety of reasons, including keeping it up and running, to increase functionality, to rebuild the system in preparation for changes in the future, to transfer to the Cloud, or for any other purpose you may have. Whatever the driving force for software maintenance, it is critical to the long-term success of your organisation. Therefore, software maintenance encompasses more than only the discovery and correction of issues. It is the process of keeping the heart of your company up and operating.
Software developers often make the analogy between software maintenance and automotive maintenance. Certain software maintenance and support services tasks, such as changing the oil and aligning the tyres, must be completed on a regular basis in order for the automobile to function properly. Larger adjustments, like as engine rebuilding, are also required to guarantee that the car’s performance remains at its peak after it has reached a particular mileage.
The requirement for automobile maintenance is understandable since physical items degrade over time as a result of their usage. However, when it comes to a digital product such as software, which does not have a physical form, this idea might be difficult to comprehend. Because code should not degrade with time, individuals who are not software engineers sometimes think that software should not need maintenance if it is created properly in the first place. However, this is not always the case.
The comparison between software and automotive maintenance, on the other hand, is not perfect. When compared to an automobile, software has many moving parts that are always changing. A modification to one component might cause another component to fail. It would be as if a timing belt had ceased operating because the spark plugs had been replaced in this instance. Furthermore, the primary function of software is often altered, which is analogous to changing a daily vehicle into a high-octane dragster for a day.
While comparing and contrasting the two forms of maintenance may be useful in understanding the fundamental need for maintenance, more explanation is required to demonstrate the need of good planning and budgeting for software maintenance services, which is not covered in this article.
Software maintenance may be divided into four categories:
1. Software maintenance that is dynamic
When it comes to software maintenance, corrective software repair is what most people would connect with the term “maintenance.” It is essential that you do proper software maintenance to prevent mistakes and defects in software applications that might have an effect on many components of your programme such as the design, logic, and code. These adjustments are normally the result of bug reports sent by users or customers; however, corrective Software Maintenance and Support Services may assist you in identifying these issues before your consumer’s do, which can benefit your brand’s image in the process.
2. Software Maintenance that is Reactive
When the environment in which your software operates changes, it becomes necessary to do adaptive software maintenance. Changing the operating system, hardware, programme dependencies, Cloud storage, or even changing the operating system itself might cause this. Adaptive software maintenance may sometimes be seen as a reflection of organisational policies or norms as well. Adaptive software maintenance may be required for a variety of reasons, including updating services, making changes to suppliers, and switching payment processors.
3. Software Maintenance that is flawless
Maintenance of perfective software systems is concerned with the development of the needs and features that are already present in your system. As users engage with your apps, they may discover something that you did not, or they may propose new features that they would want to see included in the programme, which might lead to future projects or additions that you would not have thought of. Precision software maintenance relieves part of the burden by both introducing features that may improve the user experience and deleting elements that are no longer useful or functioning. The term “features” refers to functions and features that are not utilised or do not assist you in achieving your ultimate objectives.
4. Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Software Maintenance
Software maintenance and support services are important because it allows you to make adjustments and alterations to your programme so that it can continue to function for a longer amount of time. The primary goal of this form of maintenance is to keep your software from deteriorating as it continues to adapt and develop. These services might cover anything from code optimization to documentation updates as required.
