Program Maintenance
Program maintenance is the process of modifying a software or program after delivery to achieve any of these outcomes:
- Correct errors
- Improve performance
- Add functionalities
- Remove obsolete portions
Despite the common perception that maintenance is required to fix errors that come up after the software goes live, in reality most of the maintenance work involves adding minor or major capabilities to existing modules. For example, some new data is added to a report, a new field added to entry forms, code to be modified to incorporate changed government laws, etc.
Types of Maintenance
Maintenance activities can be categorized under four headings −
- Corrective maintenance − Here errors that come up after on-site implementation are fixed. The errors may be pointed out by the users themselves.
- Preventive maintenance − Modifications done to avoid errors in future are called preventive maintenance.
- Adaptive maintenance − Changes in the working environment sometimes require modifications in the software. This is called adaptive maintenance. For example, if government education policy changes, corresponding changes have to be made in student result processing module of school management software.
- Perfective maintenance − Changes done in the existing software to incorporate new requirements from the client is called perfective maintenance. Aim here is to be always be up-to-date with the latest technology.
Maintenance Tools
Software developers and programmers use many tools to assist them in software maintenance. Here are some of the most widely used −
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- Program slicer − selects a part of the program that would be affected by the change
- Data flow analyzer − tracks all possible flows of data in the software
- Dynamic analyzer − traces program execution path
- Static analyzer − allows general viewing and summarizing of the program
- Dependency analyzer − assists in understanding and analyzing interdependence of different parts of the program
Software maintenance
Definition: Software maintenance is a part of Software Development Life Cycle. Its main purpose is to modify and update software application after delivery to correct faults and to improve performance. Software is a model of the real world. When the real world changes, the software requires alteration wherever possible.
Software Maintenance Description:
Software maintenance is a vast activity which includes optimization, error correction, deletion of discarded features and enhancement of existing features. Since these changes are necessary, a mechanism must be created for estimation, controlling and making modifications. The essential part of software maintenance requires preparation of an accurate plan during the development cycle. Typically, maintenance takes up about 40-80% of the project cost, usually closer to the higher pole. Hence, a focus on maintenance definitely helps keep costs down.
Software Maintenance Processes are:
• The SM process includes a maintenance plan which contains software preparation, problem identification and find out about product configuration management.
• The problem analysis process includes checking validity, examining it and coming up with a solution and finally getting all the required support to apply for modification.
• The process acceptance by confirming the changes with the individual who raised the request.
• The platform migration process, which is used if software is needed to be ported to another platform without any change in functionality.
Some software points that affect maintenance cost include:
• Structure of Software Program
• Programming Language
• Dependence on external environment
• Staff reliability and availability