There are several reasons why software maintenance is necessary. The maintenance process fixes errors and bugs in the system. Software maintenance improves software functionality to ensure a product becomes compatible with the latest business and marketing environments. Maintenance removes out-of-date features that inhibit the efficiency of a software product. Software maintenance enhances software performance as well. The process of perfective maintenance may include; improving software performance, enhancing software functionality, improving software usability, user interface improvement, and speed optimization. Perfective maintenance entails introducing enhancements to the functionality of software through the implementation of new or varying user requirements (such changes may not be necessitated by errors, faults, and defects in software). Perfective maintenance makes up about half of all software maintenance activities. The process is often (not always) initiated through customer feedback.
Perfective maintenance processes may include modification of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) program. The modification of ERP may be done to incorporate a payment feature in the software system. Another type of software maintenance is corrective maintenance. Software may become defective due to faults and errors in the code, logic, and design of software. A corrective action, also known as bug fixing, solves the faults and errors in the system. Corrective maintenance is necessary when: Software issues affect users after the release of the software, and when software does not work as expected due to acute challenges, like incorrect implementation, faulty logic, and incomplete or invalid tests. Usually, users create bug reports and send them to the company that made the design as feedback.
Adaptive maintenance seeks to modify and update the software when customers seek a system that interfaces with software and hardware. It is also necessary when predicted defects could affect customers with time. Adaptive maintenance is also suitable when the platform on which software operates changes due to changing rules, policies, technology, operating system, laws, etc. Preventative maintenance entails changes made to prevent future errors. The process enhances software maintainability through the reduction of complexities. Preventive maintenance tasks could include code optimization, code reconstruction, and document updating.