Method for providing precise cumulative updates and fixes to a software product

A computer programming apparatus for providing information to a user on modifications made to a software product with a program temporary fix, comprising:

• (a) a computer having a memory;
• (b) means, performed by the computer, for receiving the program temporary fix into the memory, wherein the program temporary fix includes informational text describing how the program temporary fix modifies the base software product;
• (c) means, performed by the computer, for applying the program temporary fix to the base software product;
• (d) means, performed by the computer, for applying the informational text included with the program temporary fix to informational text provided with the base software product to generate cumulative informational text into the memory, wherein the cumulative informational text describes the base software product as modified by the program temporary fix;
• (e) means, performed by the computer, for accessing the cumulative informational text in the memory;
• and
• (f) means, performed by the computer, for presenting the accessed informational text to the user.

An article of manufacture for use in programming a computer, the article of manufacture comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computer program embodied therein that causes the computer to perform the steps of:

• (a) applying the program temporary fix to the base software product, wherein the program temporary fix includes informational text describing how the program temporary fix modifies the base software product;
• (b) applying the informational text included with the program temporary fix to informational text provided with the software product to generate cumulative informational text, wherein the cumulative informational text describes the software product as modified by the program temporary fix;
• (c) accessing the cumulative informational text;
• and
• (d) presenting the accessed informational text to the user.