Patch

Patch

 Definition(s):

A software component that, when installed, directly modifies files or device settings related to a different software component without changing the version number or release details for the related software component.

 Source: NIST CNSSI 4009-2015 from ISO/IEC 19770-2

A “repair job” for a piece of programming; also known as a “fix”. A patch is the immediate solution to an identified problem that is provided to users; it can sometimes be downloaded from the software maker’s Web site. The patch is not necessarily the best solution for the problem, and the product developers often find a better solution to provide when they package the product for its next release. A patch is usually developed and distributed as a replacement for or an insertion in compiled code (that is, in a binary file or object module). In many operating systems, a special program is provided to manage and track the installation of patches.

 Source: NIST NIST SP 800-45 Version 2 under Patch

A “repair job” for a piece of programming; also known as a “fix.” A patch is the immediate solution that is provided to users; it can sometimes be downloaded from the software maker’s Web site. The patch is not necessarily the best solution for the problem, and product developers often find a better solution to provide when they package the product for its next release. A patch is usually developed and distributed as a replacement for or an insertion in compiled code (that is, in a binary file or object module). In many operating systems, a special program is provided to manage and track the installation of patches.

 Source: NIST NIST SP 800-44 Version 2 under Patch

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
patch (noun)
1.
a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or a weak spot
2.
a tiny piece of black silk or court plaster worn on the face or neck especially by women to hide a blemish or to heighten beauty
3.
a) a piece of material (as adhesive plaster) used medically usually to cover a wound
b) a usually disk-shaped piece of material that is worn on the skin and contains a substance (as a drug) that is absorbed at a constant rate through the skin into the bloodstream - a nicotine patch
c) a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye
4.
a) a small piece - scrap
b) a part or area distinct from that about it - cabbage patch
c) a period of time - spell was going through a rough patch
5.
someone or something equal or comparable - usually used in negative constructions the new chairman isn't a patch on his predecessor
6.
a piece of cloth sewed on a garment as an ornament or insignia , especially - shoulder patch
7.
a temporary connection in a communication system (as a telephone hookup)
8.
a minor correction or modification in a computer program
patch (verb)
transitive verb
1.
to mend, cover, or fill up a hole or weak spot in
2.
to provide with a patch
3.
a) to make of or fragments - patches
b) to mend or put together especially in hasty or shabby fashion - usually used with up
c) to apply a patch to (a computer program)
4.
a) to connect (as circuits) by a patch cord
b) to connect (as a person or message) to a communication system especially temporarily - they patched him into the conference call mend
patch (noun)
- fool dolt
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
patch (noun)
1.
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
SYNONYMS:
blotch, dapple, dot, eyespot, fleck, mottle, patch, pip, point, speck, speckle, splotch
RELATED WORDS:
birthmark, freckle, mole; blob, blot, mark, smear, smudge, smutch, stain; spatter, splash; polka dot
patch (noun)
2.
a very small piece
SYNONYMS:
atom, crumb, dribble, fleck, flyspeck, grain, granule, molecule, morsel, mote, nubbin, nugget, particle, patch, scrap, scruple, snip, snippet, speck, tittle
RELATED WORDS:
ace, dab, dash, driblet, drop, fraction, haet [], halfpenny, ha'penny, iota, jot, kenning [], lick, minim, mite, modicum, nutshell, ounce, pinch, shred, smatter, smidgen ( smidgeon smidgin smidge), spot, strain, streak, suspicion, taste, touch, trace, whisper, whit; bite, mouthful, nibble, tidbit ( titbit); fragment, part, portion, section; chip, flake, shard, shiver, sliver, splinter; clipping, paring, shaving; smithereens
NEAR ANTONYMS:
chunk, gob, hunk, lump, slab; abundance, barrel, bucket, bushel, deal, heaps, loads, mass, mountain, peck, pile, pot, profusion, quantity, raft, scads, stack, volume, wad, wealth
patch (verb)
to put into good shape or working order again
SYNONYMS:
doctor, fix, patch, recondition, renovate, repair, revamp
RELATED WORDS:
fix up, furbish, overhaul, rebuild, reconstruct, refurbish; aid, cure, heal, help; condition, prepare, ready; care (for), maintain, service; freshen, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize, revive; adjust, correct, modify, rectify, redress, reform, right; ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate
NEAR ANTONYMS:
blemish, break, damage, deface, disfigure, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, ruin, spoil, vandalize, wreck; cripple, disable, maim, mangle, mutilate
patch (verb)
to make or assemble roughly or hastily
SYNONYMS:
jury-rig, patch (together), throw up
RELATED WORDS:
dash (off); jerry-build
NEAR ANTONYMS:
craft, handcraft; fashion, forge, hammer out, pound (out)
Synonyms:
Hotfix
Related Articles:
Patch is a piece of software designed to fix a bug, security vulnerability, or other issue in an existing program or system. Patches are usually released by the software developer or vendor.