What Happens When A Software Solution/Programming Language Is Retired/Loses Support
Microsoft announced recently that it would end support for Microsoft's Internet Explorer (a popular browser that comes preinstalled on Microsoft operating system). Microsoft's Edge browser is well received by the market with many having a glowing review of the Edge browser. Microsoft Internet Explorer's perception by users is so bad that there are tons of memes on the internet that unfavourably compares Internet Explorer to other browsers. As of the 15th of this month, the Internet Explorer browser has been retired by Microsoft.
WHAT DOES SUPPORT LOOK LIKE FOR DIGITAL ASSETS?
A lot of people don't understand what it means to end support for digital assets especially in the world of software development and programming which is why I will be explaining it today. Firstly, retiring a browser doesn't mean you can't use it, it's really hard to take things off the internet as such you'll still find these digital assets on the internet, however, the company or entity in charge of that asset is somewhat disowning the asset. Usually, software solutions have developers who continuously work on improving the utilities and capacities of the software solution in question, the frequent updates you get for software are as a result of a team of developers who work to ensure that the application or program is constantly evolving. The process of supporting a software solution isn't cheap as developers have to be paid as well as other support staff who assist in the software development and handle client feedback on the product.
WHY ARE DIGITAL ASSETS RETIRED?
In the event that a software solution isn't being used or has become infamous as a result of the suboptimal performance of the software solution, it may result in the retirement of the browser. Internet Explorer has become infamous for the browser you use to download other browsers and the browser people open by mistake. That kind of reputation is hard to shake as other browsers have worked on their efficiency and brand perception which left the internet explorer looking like a dinosaur. Software solutions aren't the only things that can be retired, programming languages and frameworks can and have been retired in the past as they became obsolete. The rule of thumb is that if a digital asset isn't being used or is barely getting market share it may look like a waste of money to keep paying developers, other technical and non-technical staff to keep maintaining the software solution as such these digital assets lose support.
The key takeaway is that when a software solution or digital asset is retired or loses support, the software solution or digital asset is most likely still available on the internet, however, the entity who created it will not be held responsible for any problems you encounter while using that digital asset, neither will they attend to any client complaints regarding that asset. Software retirement is akin to divorce or being disowned rather than death itself, nothing on the internet ever truly dies.