What is meant by “backward compatibility”?
“Backward compatibility” is the ability to accommodate existing technology with emerging technology. For example, from the standpoint of hardware if you were to purchase a new computer and you are able to use the new computer with the particular video monitor that you had been using, the new computer would be considered “backward compatible” with the older monitor. From the standpoint of software, if (for example) application software that you are using is capable of running on a new operating system, then the new operating system software would be considered “backward compatible” with your existing application software. Backward compatibility is important to OEM’s because recurring development costs must be sustained when the emerging technology of component parts fail to maintain backward compatibility.
