In Technology, especially Computing, a product is said to be backward compatible when it is able to take the place of an older product, by interoperating with other products that were designed for the older product.
Levels of compatibility vary. In software, binary compatibility and source-compatibility are distinguishable. Binary compatibility means that programs can work correctly with the new version of this library without requiring recompilation. Source compatibility requires recompilation but no changes to the source code.
Many platforms rely on emulation, the simulation of an older platform in software, to achieve backward compatibility.
= Examples =
*A computer system is backward compatible if it is able to work with software or accessories designed for the system it is meant to replace.
The Atari 7800 is backward compatible with most Atari 2600 games.
The Game Boy Advance is backward compatible with previous Game Boy systems, meaning all Game Boy & Game Boy Color titles are playable on this system.
The PlayStation 2 is backward compatible with the original PlayStation, meaning older games like Final Fantasy VII can be played on a PlayStation 2.
The Intel 80486 processor is backward compatible with the Intel 80386 because it can execute programs written for the 80386.
The Xbox 360 is backward compatible with most Xbox games.
*A piece of
Software is backward compatible if it can read or write data created by an older version.
WordPerfect 6.0 can read WordPerfect 5.1 files
It can be said that Perl is backward compatible with awk, because Perl was (among other things) intended to replace awk, and can, with a converter, run awk programs.
==See also==
*Forward compatibility
*Legacy system
