Editing Software release life cycle (section)

== Support ==
During its supported lifetime, the software is sometimes subjected to service releases, [[patch (computing)|patches]] or [[service pack]]s, sometimes also called "interim releases" or "maintenance releases" (MR). For example, Microsoft released three major service packs for the [[32-bit computing|32-bit]] editions of [[Windows XP]] and two service packs for the [[64-bit computing|64-bit]] editions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Update Catalog |url=https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=xp%20service%20pack%203 |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=www.catalog.update.microsoft.com}}</ref> Such service releases contain a collection of updates, fixes, and enhancements, delivered in the form of a single installable package. They may also implement new features. Some software is released with the expectation of regular support. Classes of software that generally involve protracted support as the norm include [[Antivirus software|anti-virus suites]] and [[massively multiplayer online game]]s. Continuing with this Windows XP example, Microsoft did offer paid updates for five more years after the end of extended support. This means that support ended on April 8, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-20 |title=Microsoft Product Lifecycle Search |url=http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?alpha=Windows+XP |access-date=2024-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720010405/http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?alpha=Windows+XP |archive-date=20 July 2012 }}</ref>

=== End-of-life {{Anchor|EOL|End of life}} ===
{{See also|End-of-life product|Abandonware}}

When software is no longer sold or supported, the product is said to have reached end-of-life, to be discontinued, retired, deprecated, abandoned, or obsolete, but user loyalty may continue its existence for some time, even long after its platform is obsolete—e.g., the [[Common Desktop Environment]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=[cdesktopenv-devel] CDE 2.2.1 released {{!}} CDE - Common Desktop Environment |url=https://sourceforge.net/p/cdesktopenv/mailman/message/32043063/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=sourceforge.net}}</ref> and Sinclair [[ZX Spectrum]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-05 |title=ZX-Uno [ZX Spectrum Computer Clone Based on FPGA] |url=http://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml |access-date=2024-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105191835/http://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml |archive-date=5 January 2018 }}</ref>

After the end-of-life date, the developer will usually not implement any new features, fix existing defects, bugs, or vulnerabilities (whether known before that date or not), or provide any support for the product. If the developer wishes, they may release the source code, so that the platform may be maintained by volunteers.