Patch

Patch is a type of software that has been developed to perform functions like upgrading a program or application, adding new features, detecting and fixing bugs in a computer system. By periodically providing updates it improves the performance, reliability and security. It all depends on the quality of the software as a poorly designed patch can add to the issues and make it more vulnerable.

Patch management is a strategy adopted to plan which type of patches should be applied on systems within a stipulated time frame. Patches are distributed as executable files where the patch is used to amend the binary file with some changes or is totally replaced with a new file. The other type is called the source code which are derived from open source projects. Patch is a term used to fix minor issues. Large and bulky patches that can bring major changes to a program are referred as software updates or service packs.