Word for software which has been killed or is no longer supported


When describing a piece of software on a list I have the following information:


SoftwareName


Released: 2013-12-12


????: 2014-12-12


The ???? is like the opposite of Released. Maybe I could use killed (but that is too strong), or no longer supported, but I would prefer a single word.



Answer



It depends on your precise meaning, and the intended audience.


It could mean ending:




  • Feature updates




  • Non-security bug fixes




  • Security fixes




  • Customer support / troubleshooting




  • Service, in the case of SaaS (software as a service)




Sometimes there will be different dates for ending each of these.



For a general-use single-word verb to mirror released, I suggest discontinued. That is, releases, support, etc. (whatever it is that you mean) are no longer continuing.


But I would prefer end of life, which though not a single word (unless you count end-of-life or EOL) is a common industry term, and usually denotes an end to updates or fixes. This is, for example, what the operating system Ubuntu uses: "Release date" and "End of life date".



Some other possibilities:




  • abandoned - implies the ending was unplanned




  • deactivated / defunct - accurate if the software is actually no longer functioning




  • decommissioned / retired - might work, though I would use this for when something actually stops being used, as when a particular company, user, or specific system is no longer using it




  • deprecated - describes software as replaced, or not officially recommended. This precedes its complete removal. This term is not widely used outside of software libraries (and software developers).




  • obsolete - not great, as it describes the need or use for the software, not the state of development or support; software can become practically obsolete long before any planned support date




  • sunsetted - a sunset is actually a period of time of limited support, so it doesn't fit a single date as you have requested. This term is frequently used, e.g. Google Reader




  • terminated - good, though if you didn't like killed, this might also be too strong




  • unsupported - good, though not all software is ever "supported" in the way some may think: regular bug fixes, support staff, etc.




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