Hotfix Patch

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A Hotfix Patch is a software patch that resolves critical software bugs.



References

2023

  • chat
    • Q: what is hotfix patch and the process to deliver them. Give me some examples.
    • A: A hotfix patch is a small update to a software program that is designed to fix a specific issue or problem. Hotfix patches are typically released in response to an urgent problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, such as a security vulnerability or a bug that is causing the program to crash.

      The process for delivering hotfix patches typically involves the following steps:

      1. Identifying the issue: The first step in delivering a hotfix patch is identifying the issue that needs to be addressed. This could involve analyzing crash reports, user feedback, or other data to determine the cause of the problem.
      2. Developing the patch: Once the issue has been identified, the next step is to develop a patch that addresses the problem. This typically involves writing new code or modifying existing code to fix the issue.
      3. Testing the patch: Before releasing the patch, it is important to test it to ensure that it addresses the issue and does not introduce any new problems. This may involve testing the patch on a variety of different systems and configurations.
      4. Releasing the patch: Once the patch has been developed and tested, it is made available to users through an automatic update process or by downloading and installing the patch manually.
    • Examples of hotfix patches include:
      1. A patch that fixes a security vulnerability in a web browser
      2. A patch that fixes a bug that was causing an operating system to crash when certain hardware was used
      3. A patch that fixes an issue with a video game that was causing it to freeze or crash on certain levels

2023

  • (Wikipedia, 2023) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hotfix Retrieved:2023-1-9.
    • A hotfix or quick-fix engineering update (QFE update) is a single, cumulative package that includes information (often in the form of one or more files) that is used to address a problem in a software product (i.e., a software bug). Typically, hotfixes are made to address a specific customer situation.

      The term "hotfix" originally referred to software patches that were applied to "hot" systems: those which are live, currently running, and in production status rather than development status. For the developer, a hotfix implies that the change may have been made quickly and outside normal development and testing processes. This could increase the cost of the fix by requiring rapid development, overtime or other urgent measures. For the user, the hotfix could be considered riskier or less likely to resolve the problem. This could cause an immediate loss of services, so depending on the severity of the bug, it may be desirable to delay a hotfix. The risk of applying the hotfix must be weighed against the risk of not applying it, because the problem to be fixed might be so critical that it could be considered more important than a potential loss of service (e.g., a major security breach).

      Similar use of the terms can be seen in hot-swappable disk drives. The more recent usage of the term is likely due to software vendors making a distinction between a hotfix and a patch.