Drop-in replacement is a term used in

computer science Computer science is the study of computation, information, and automation. Computer science spans Theoretical computer science, theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, and information theory) to Applied science, ...

and other fields. It refers to the ability to replace one hardware or

software Software consists of computer programs that instruct the Execution (computing), execution of a computer. Software also includes design documents and specifications. The history of software is closely tied to the development of digital comput ...

component with another, without any other code or configuration changes being required and resulting in no negative impacts. Usually, the replacement has some benefits including one or more of the following: * increased

security Security is protection from, or resilience against, potential harm (or other unwanted coercion). Beneficiaries (technically referents) of security may be persons and social groups, objects and institutions, ecosystems, or any other entity or ...

* increased speed * increased feature set * increased compatibility (e.g. with other components or standards support) * increased support (e.g. the old component may no longer be supported, maintained, or manufactured)

See also