Is it required to patch the operating system (OS) and application in Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)?

In Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS), patching the operating system and applications is not a strict requirement. AWS RDS automatically manages the underlying infrastructure, which includes applying updates to the database engine and operating system as part of its service features. Users have the flexibility to choose when to apply these updates based on operational needs and preferences.

This design allows developers and DBAs to focus more on application development rather than on system maintenance tasks. While it's recommended to keep systems updated for both security and performance reasons, RDS provides automated patching options, and many users opt for automatic patching to reduce the operational burden. Choosing not to apply patches can lead to potential security vulnerabilities or misconfigurations, but it is not mandated.

Therefore, stating that it is not a requirement aligns with the service's structure where AWS handles many of the maintenance aspects for the users, allowing for greater ease of use and deployment in cloud environments.