live update (redirected from live updating)

live update

The automatic updating of software via the Internet. First used to keep operating systems, antivirus software and Web browsers more secure, live updating migrated to all types of software. It is not uncommon for any application that starts up to query the Internet for updates. For example, our own Windows annual encyclopedia subscriptions (CDEweb) query the Internet at startup for data and software updates.

Silent or Announced
The update may automatically take place with or without the user's knowledge, and this may be configurable by the user. For example, with our CDEweb subscriptions, software updates are automatically downloaded in a couple of seconds and replace the old version without prompting the user. However, when a data update occurs, the user is given the choice of downloading right away or later. If users were in a hurry to look up a term, waiting for the new version may not be desirable, unless of course they wanted to know about the latest buzzword. Most applications give the user a choice when the update is going to take some time, even if only a minute. See browser updates.