When to update the software to the latest available version.

The answer is simple: as soon as possible.

At this point, you may have an outdated version of software (Adobe, Magento, Liferay, Wordpress, any platform). Constantly, the providers of these platforms release new versions of their products that may not be updated in your systems.

There are many factors that make it difficult to keep up with all software updates, and as new versions are constantly released, they begin to accumulate, worsening the situation and widening the gap between your current version and the latest available.

Each case is different and requires its own individual evaluation. Some of the questions or concerns that should be asked and answered may include the following:

What will I gain from performing an update?

Security: Software updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities and protect your system against external threats. These updates should be considered for immediate implementation, so it is highly recommended to be attentive if the provider releases software versions that address security issues, thereby avoiding problems and information leaks from your site and its users.

Improved Functionality: New software versions are designed to include improvements in functionality and error corrections. So, any potential errors or difficult-to-use features in previous versions may be fixed and addressed in the new versions. Additionally, new functionalities that you hadn't yet identified as needed may be included.

Each case is different and requires its own individual evaluation. Some of the questions or concerns that should be asked and answered may include the following:

What will I gain from performing an update?

Security: Software updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities and protect your system against external threats. These updates should be considered for immediate implementation, so it is highly recommended to be attentive if the provider releases software versions that address security issues, thereby avoiding problems and information leaks from your site and its users.

Improved Functionality: New software versions are designed to include improvements in functionality and error corrections. So, any potential errors or difficult-to-use features in previous versions may be fixed and addressed in the new versions. Additionally, new functionalities that you hadn't yet identified as needed may be included.

What should I consider before performing an update?

Compatibility: Ensure that the new version is compatible with your operating system and other programs you use. Some updates may require minimum hardware requirements or the need to update other components of your infrastructure.

Data Migration: Depending on the update and the type of your system, data may need to be migrated separately, so it is necessary to confirm that all your information can be used in this new version and no important data will be lost.

How to evaluate a new update:

User Reviews: Before performing the update, it is important to research the opinions and experiences of other users about the new version. Check if it has good ratings and if new errors were not introduced (it can happen that the new version generates problems with the application). If this is the case, it is advisable to wait for a stable and well-endorsed version.

It is also important to understand how the identifier of a new update is structured. With the following guide, you will learn how to read a version number.

Normally, a new update is identified with a number that increases with each new version. There are 2 main ways to generate the identifier for an update.

Consecutive Identifier:
In this case, one of the values representing the identifier increases (e.g., 7.2.1).

The first number (7) represents the major software version. Increasing this number indicates important updates that include significant changes to the application, such as visual enhancements, functionality improvements, and changes in the way it is used.

The second number (2) usually indicates a minor version or a smaller update. These changes typically include additional improvements, bug fixes, and optimizations, without major changes compared to the previous version.

The third number (1) is often used to indicate a revision or a minor update of the software. These revisions usually include bug fixes, security patches, or minor changes to the software without adding major new features to the system.

Once a value on the left increases, the counters on the right reset. For example, if a major release occurs, the new version would become 8.0.0.

Date Identifier:
Some providers also identify their versions with the year and month of release. For example, if this blog were versioned, it would be labeled as "Blog 2023-05", indicating the year 2023 and the month of May.

Final words,

A very positive factor of software updates is that it is never too late to do them. While each new version may accumulate difficulty, it also accumulates the number of improvements that will be obtained, making your website, platform, or application more secure, more useful, and ultimately making it easier to adopt new updates.

If you have any doubts about how and when to update your software, we offer a free 15-minute session where we can advise you and put you on the right track.