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Support Software Problems Forcing System Replacement

publish date: 2026/06/24 21:32:32.254868 UTC

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A company's legacy system depends on a database engine whose vendor has gone out of business, leaving no security patches or technical support available. How might this support software problem force the organization to replace its legacy system?

Support software problems can always be solved instantly with no cost or risk

Without a supported database engine, the organization faces growing security risk and an inability to fix critical defects, eventually making continued operation untenable

Vendor closures have no effect on systems that are already deployed and running

The database engine will continue to receive updates automatically regardless of vendor status

Correct Answer

Without a supported database engine, the organization faces growing security risk and an inability to fix critical defects, eventually making continued operation untenable

Explanation

When a support software vendor goes out of business, ongoing security patches and technical support disappear. Over time, the organization accumulates unpatched vulnerabilities and unresolved defects, eventually reaching a point where continued operation of the legacy system becomes too risky, forcing a replacement decision.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Software Evolution - Exercises