Final answer:
Software maintenance entails updating and improving software post-release, addressing faults and enhancing performance. Software distribution is about delivering software to users, increasingly via the internet, and managing updates and compatibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Software Maintenance and Distribution
Software maintenance is a critical phase in the software development lifecycle. It involves updating and improving existing software after its initial release to correct faults, improve performance, and adapt it to a changing environment. Software distribution, on the other hand, refers to the process of delivering the software to the end users. This can involve physical media, but more commonly today, it is done electronically via downloads from the internet.
Maintenance activities include error correction, enhancements of capabilities, deletion of obsolete capabilities, and optimization. Because software can be complex and interdependent, maintenance is a challenging task. It often requires a detailed maintenance plan and the presence of a dedicated maintenance team.
Software distribution includes not only the delivery of software but also the management of software versions, patch updates, and ensuring compatibility with various operating systems and hardware. Effective distribution methods help ensure that users can access new features and critical updates in a timely manner.