Backwards compatible

What is Backward Compatible?
Backward compatible refers to a hardware or software system that can use the interface of an older version of the same product. A new standard product or model is considered backward compatible if it can read, write, or display older formats. Backward compatibility enables newer technologies without replacing a current component. Backward compatible is also known as backward compatible.

Backward compatibility can refer to a program, system, or platform.

A backward compatible program is a new application that supports the functions of the older version. An example would be Microsoft Word 2010, which can read and open older versions of Word 2007.

A backward compatible system is newer hardware that is backward compatible with older hardware versions of the same model. For example, PlayStation 3 (PS3) is backwards compatible with PlayStation 1 (PS1) and most PlayStation 2 (PS2) systems. Hardware that is backward compatible may vary depending on the model and version. Backward hardware compatibility can also include USB ports, format software, peripherals, and hard drives. Although newer hardware may work with older systems, the level of performance may not be optimal.

A backward compatible platform or library refers to the framework that enables the hardware or software (or the subroutines for that software) to function. For example, the Intel 80486 processor is backwards compatible with the Intel 80386 processor programs.