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Automated support of software maintenance

© Faisal Bin Bashir

Software maintenance is the general name given to the set of activities undertaken on a software system following its release for operational use. Surveys have shown that, for many projects, software maintenance consumes the majority of the overall software life-cycle costs, and there are indications that the proportion is increasing. Inability to cope with software maintenance can also result in a backlog of application modifications. Despite the importance of software maintenance, it has acquired the reputation of being a second-class area in which to work.

The development of a software system is complete when the project is delivered to the customer or client, and the software installed and released for operational use. The term software maintenance is used to encompass the activities (technical and managerial) that are undertaken on the software subsequently. It is recognized that some organizations use terms such as enhancement or system redevelopment to express activities that are actually classified as software maintenance. Some professionals use software maintenance to refer only to the correction of defects. The broader definition of the term is justified because the management approach, the methods, and the tool support are similar, yet differ substantially from those used in initial development.

It is argued that there is a key difference between software development and software maintenance as defined here. In the former, the project is undertaken within a time-scale, and to a budget. An identifiable product, meeting the original customer requirement, is the deliverable. By contrast, software maintenance is usually open-ended, continuing for many years, and seen as a revenue item. Its objective is to extend the life of the software system for as long as is economically possible.

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