backward compatibility
Noun
Meaning
backward compatibility (usually uncountable, plural backward compatibilities)
(software) Capability of interoperating with older systems.
Antonym: backward incompatibility
Examples
Backward compatibility has been a big component of the current generation PlayStation 4, and support for older games has come for that console on a per game basis.
Backward compatibility (such as the ability of newer systems to handle legacy file formats and character encodings ) is a goal that software developers often include in their work.
Backward compatibility A screenshot showing how Wine can be configured to mimic different versions of Windows, going as far back as Windows 2.0 as shown.
Backward compatibility in Wine is superior to that of Windows, as newer versions of Windows can force users to upgrade legacy Windows applications.