About software patches

A ``patch'' updates features or fixes bugs in existing software. A ``patch-product'' is one or more software patches distributed as a product.

A patch affects its target software at the component level, not at the product level or package level. Each patch in a patch-product can affect a different component.

From the Software Manager, you can:

Install a patch

Load (copy) the patch onto the system and activate (apply) the patch on the target software. You can also load the patch without applying it. (It is no longer possible to apply the patch without loading it.) See ``Installing software''.

Remove a patch

Remove the patch from the system and remove its effect on the target software. You can also remove the patch's effect on the target software, but leave a copy of the patch loaded on the system. (This operation was formerly called Rollback.) See ``Removing software''.

Examine patches and the components they affect

See ``Examining software packages''.