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Chapter 23: Special MaintenanceSupport PackagesHot Packages are now known as R/3 Support PackagesLegal Change Patches (LCP) are known as R/3 HR Support PackagesA Support Package is a collection of corrections that address serious errors in the ABAPrepository. These corrections affect the Basis and functional areas. There are defined rulesabout what kind of fixes should be (and are) included in a Support Package. Some rules aretechnical while other rules are policy.A Support Package is not a cumulative fix for application modules. You must still get andapply the notes for the functional modules. However, since Support Packages containpatches for the various functional areas, some of the notes may be applied in the SupportPackage. The Support Package is not supposed to contain functional enhancements, but thisis not always the case.The purpose of a Support Package is to fix problems before they become problems.There is a conflict about when Hot Packages should be (and are) applied: To prevent serious problems, SAP’s position is that customers should apply all SupportPackages as they are released.. The position of many customers is that all system changes must be regression tested. This stance, with the frequency of Support Package releases, results in the SupportPackages not being applied.The reason is that the amount of testing required cannot be done continuously This customer position is not unique to SAP and has been taken by many customerssince the early days of computing.SAP development is working on ways to make Support Package application easier. As of Release 4.5, Hot Packages have been separated from the HR Legal ChangePatch (HR LCP). This separation allows LCPs to be applied quickly, to be in legalcompliance, and not applying Support Packages before they are scheduled to be applied.Before Release 4.5, the LCP contained the Hot Packages; applying a LCP also meantapplying the Hot Package.System Administration Made Easy23–11