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Are App Updates Even Necessary?

Why do we always have to install updates?

Author: Ugochukwu E. Nwachukwu
 March 5, 2023    253 views  


The content of this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice or endorsement.




Yes, I know. Sometimes, updating apps can be stressful. They sometimes take up more space, they take time, and they consume a lot of data, especially if you are on a limited data plan. All these lead people to ask, "Is it really necessary to update my apps?"

 

 

The short answer is, yes. Absolutely! They are important for so many reasons. We'll dive into the different types of updates and their benefits.

 

 

Bug Fixes

A bug is simply an error in a piece of software that causes unexpected behaviours. These unexpected behaviours usually include freezes, crashes, glitches, and invalid or inconsistent results. They can also lead to security vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by hackers to wreak havoc.

 

 

One notable bug was the Y2K bug. The Y2K bug, also known as the Millennium Bug, was an error caused by many computer programs storing only the last two digits of the year. By the time it clocked the year 2000, these programs interpreted it as 1900, leading to miscalculations with date values. The bug was fixed by updating affected programs to use four-digit year values.

 

bug fix is a type of update that addresses said bug(s). If bug fixes are not made regularly, it could lead to catastrophic issues. This is why bug fixes are essential.

 

 

Security Patches

Basically, a security patch is an update made to an app or website that addresses a security vulnerability. Security experts can discover vulnerabilities. Failure to create and implement security patches will make the app/website susceptible to attacks.

 

New forms of cyber-attacks come up all the time. Keeping security patches up-to-date protects against these cyber-attacks. They serve to fix vulnerabilities that have been discovered in an app. These, in the long run, help save companies save lots of money that would be spent on damages, the cost of remediation, legal fees in the event of a major security breach.

 

 

They also often include bug fixes and other improvements that boost the reliability of the software. This can help to improve performance, prevent system crashes, and increase overall system stability.

 

Many industries and organizations are required to adhere to specific regulations regarding data privacy and security. Applying security patches is often a requirement to comply with these regulations and avoid penalties.

 

 

Major Updates

These are significant releases that introduce new features, major changes to the app's design or functionality, or updates to the app's underlying code.

 

Major updates are typically identified by a change in the version number, such as from version 1.0 to version 2.0. Sometimes, they may require users to download the entire app again instead of just updating it.

 

Why are they useful? Well, sometimes, the entire structure of the app might be need to updated to meet up with modern-day requirements. Sometimes, the entire design needs to change. Sometimes, functionalities need to be added or improved upon.

 

They also help companies maintain a competitive edge by embracing new technologies and methodologies. With this, they can maintain a loyal fan base and even gain new users.

 

 

In general, app updates help to:

  1. Improve app security
  2. Save cost
  3. Maintain and grow fan base
  4. Keep apps up-to-date with the latest technologies
  5. Improve app perfomance

 

So the next time you have to update your apps and feel frustrated, always remember that it's for the greater good.

 

Now go update those outdated apps on your device!






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