Upgrade

With upgrade [ ˌ ʌp greɪd ] (high gradual upgrade english = / upgrade ) the modification of a product to a higher configuration or version is called. In the underlying product may be, inter alia, to computer hardware, software, tickets, air tickets, securities actions of rating agencies, tariffs of telecommunications service providers or tariffs with insurance.

Difference between an upgrade, update and downgrade

→ Main article: Update and Downgrade

An update (english update = update) ensures, for example when a software product is usually for minor improvements or bug fixed within a given software item, which is also referred to as a service release, patch or hotfix. In contrast to this, a software upgrade expands the software significantly by new functions.

A software update is available for a new version of the software and is usually marked by a change in the version number, whereas a software upgrade can be better described as a new variant, which is based on the original version and includes a technical innovation.

This contrasts with the downgrade, a variant in which a technological innovation is rolled back. Software up-and downgrades go about hand in hand with a change of name of a software product, but can also - similar to the update - be marked on an amended version number (usually in the part of the major release, ie, the major version number ).

The reasons for a downgrade can be numerous. In the private sector there are often cost considerations, since a low-order variant of a product is cheaper in general (eg when using a trial version of the Pro version of a software, but after the end of the test period opts for the standard version).

There are often confused versions with variants and vice versa, whereby the Confusion of upgrades and updates is marked.

Upgrade for tickets and travel

Also the change to a higher category tickets in train or a ticket in air travel is referred to as an upgrade. If one is in possession of an economy-class tickets and this class is overbooked, the airline may make an upgrading to business class, if there are still free places are available. One may travel at no extra cost in higher booking class.

Also give many transport companies the customer the opportunity to purchase a ticket upgrade or a bonus program ( for bonus points / miles ) replaced. For example, at the Deutsche Bahn surcharge upgrades from the second class to the first class are possible.

Also in the hotel sector, the term upgrade is used for switching to a higher quality hotel rooms.

Computer

Hardware

→ Main article: Hardware

As a hardware upgrade, for example, to increase the computing power of a computer is known, which can be carried out, for example, by a host processor is replaced by a more rapid.

Software

→ Main article: Software

A software upgrade called for a high-order configuration of a base software, on the other hand, the update to a newer version.

For Windows: An upgrade called the one hand, the configuration change of a Windows edition to a higher value, on the other hand, the switch to a newer version (eg from Windows Vista to Windows 7). The update with a patch ( for example, " security update " ) or Service Release is, however, called update.

As antivirus software AVIRA: The variant Avira Free Antivirus is free, while the variant Avira Antivirus Premium is not free, but also offers greater performance and functionality. When changing from Free to Premium is spoken by an upgrade. The opposite case - a change of premium on free means downgrade. Whether a new virus identity is available, so there is a new software version, AVIRA checked typically every six hours and, if necessary, perform an upgrade to a newer version ( "Update" ) by.

An upgrade may be free or paid.

Generally valid is the distinction between minor and major upgrades. Especially in the IT industry is the use of this terminology standard.