What is a hotfix primarily designed to do?

A hotfix is primarily designed to address critical issues in software systems quickly and efficiently, often without requiring a complete shutdown of services. This means that when a significant problem arises—such as a security vulnerability or a major bug impacting system functionality—developers can create a hotfix that is applied directly to the existing software. This allows organizations to maintain operational continuity while ensuring that critical issues are resolved promptly.

The emphasis of a hotfix is on speed and efficiency in fixing severe problems rather than on introducing new features or improving overall performance. While hotfixes might incidentally improve performance when they resolve underlying issues, that is not their primary purpose. Similarly, introducing a variety of features or replacing outdated software are tasks generally associated with major updates or upgrades rather than hotfixes, which focus on immediate remediation.