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Glite Dictionary
🧵 Mending clothes 💻 Updating software
patching

patching

3 4.1
The act of applying small updates to software to fix bugs or security holes
  • noun
  • /ˈpæʧɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : actualización
  • Win8 patching gets off to a bit of a rough start.

One of the surprising things, just like you said, is the process of patching errors.

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Examples

  • Plus, the entire downloading and patching process is painful and ridiculous.

    Blog text (5)

  • I had expected security patching to be like bug patching, to start out massive and then trail off toward perfection.

    Blog text (29)

  • Security patching does not trail off.

    Blog text (29)

  • "I had expected security patching to be like bug patching, to start out massive and then trail off toward perfection."

    Blog text (29)

  • So I'm sure we'll do some emergency patching and make sure everything's running smoothly.

    Blog text (18)

  • This means stop with ridiculous patching practices, improving security to protect user data, and having a snappy interface.

    Blog text (33)

  • Thus, services tend to shield even their defective programs, fixing and patching as they proceed.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The multiplayer is still a bit glitchy and desperately needs patching, but the campaign was a lot of fun for me.

    Blog text (32)

  • Last year we implemented Kaseya to take care of patching and policies, but syncing across Kaseya isn't realistic.

    Blog text (6)

  • After downloading the latest updates, the patching process improved the software's performance significantly.

Synonyms

fix
vspatching
76 1.0

An action that makes something work again

is limited to small software updates that address bugs or vulnerabilities
fixing
vspatching
24 1.9

Repairing something to make it work again

is specific to small software updates for bugs, security, or minor features

Antonyms

neglect
100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

How Extensive

overhaul
73 5.1
to upgrade
177 3.5
to update
451 2.8
patching
  • Specialized
3 4.1
patch
  • Specialized
75 3.8
hotfix
  • Specialized
1 4.4

Surface Forms

patching singular
patchings plural

Morphology

patching = patch (transparent) = patch + ing

Standard gerund/nominal formation from the verb 'patch'; the computing sense is an extended but directly related application of the same verb.

Etymology

The word patching in computing borrows the sewing idea: a patch is a small change added to software, like putting a piece of cloth over a hole to stop a leak, so it 'fixes' a problem. That's why patching means applying small updates to repair bugs or close security holes.