backporting

Backporting is the practice of taking a software change, such as a bug fix or security patch, from a newer version of a project and applying it to an older, still-supported release. The goal is to mitigate issues in maintained releases without adopting the full feature set of the latest version, thereby preserving stability while addressing important faults.

Backporting is common in projects with long-term support or enterprise environments, including operating systems, kernels, and applications. It helps users benefit from fixes without upgrading to a major new release. The process typically involves selecting a patch or commit from the main development line, evaluating API and ABI compatibility, and applying it to the target branch. The patch is then adapted as needed, compiled, and tested to ensure no regressions. Maintainers review changes before they are merged into the supported branch.

Methods include cherry-picking commits, applying patches, or manually porting changes. While backporting can improve security and reliability, it carries risks such as dependency drift, conflicts, or breaking compatibility with existing code on the target branch. Thorough testing and documentation are essential, and some projects maintain dedicated backport or security branches to manage ongoing updates.

Related terms include forward porting, cherry-picking, stable releases, and long-term support. Examples include backporting security fixes to older supported kernels or versions of enterprise software, allowing continued use of a stable release with essential improvements.