| software component (NW) |
Delivery and product unit of an SAP software product
A software component comprises a set of packages that are delivered in a single unit. You always assign repository objects to a software component by assigning the package containing these objects. This makes it possible to move repository objects from one software component to another during a release upgrade.
A software component is released in successive releases with new functions. You can import patches into each software component separately.
- The customer receives changes to products relating to further development (upgrades) or collected corrections (Support Packages) for one or more software components.
- The availability of a software component is restricted to a maintenance period during which corrections for the software components are provided in the form of Support Packages.
- A software component can require the installation of other software components if it uses their functions.
- Software components group together development components to minimize the complexity of dependencies, maintenance, and releases.