What is typically referred to as minor fixes to the core operating system or software?

The term that typically refers to minor fixes to the core operating system or software is a patch. Patches are specifically designed to address vulnerabilities, bugs, or other small issues within the software without making significant changes to its overall functionality or introducing new features. The main purpose of a patch is to improve security, fix errors, or enhance performance while ensuring that the software continues to work smoothly.

Updates, while sometimes used interchangeably with patches, generally refer to broader changes that may include new features, enhancements, or substantial improvements rather than just minor fixes. Reset refers to restoring a system or application to its original state, erasing any changes that have been made, while version control is a system for managing changes to documents, programs, and other collections of information, not specifically related to minor fixes in software.

Understanding the distinction between these terms helps clarify the specific nature and intent of software maintenance activities.