← Glossary
What does "rollback" mean in programming?
rollback is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
The process of reverting an application to a previous working version after a failed deployment. A rollback is the emergency procedure when a release causes problems in production.
Example
"We had to do a rollback after the deploy broke the checkout flow."
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| rollback | noun | The act of reverting to a previous working version | "We did a rollback after the deploy broke the API." |
| roll back | verb (phrasal) | To revert to a previous version of the software | "We need to roll back to the last stable release." |
| rolled back | past tense | Already reverted to a previous version | "The deployment was rolled back within five minutes." |
Related terms
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