CONSIDERING DIFFERENCES OF SOFTWARE IMAGES DURING SOFTWARE IMAGE DISTRIBUTION USING PATCHES

A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes receiving a first image, having a first image tag, to store in a predetermined image storage service, and determining whether the first image tag matches any image tags of images stored in the image storage service. In response to a determination that the first image tag matches a second image tag associated with a second image stored in the image storage service, a predetermined process is performed. The predetermined process includes determining whether the first image is identical to the second image, and in response to a determination that the first image is not identical to the second image, executing actions. The actions include generating a patch of differences between the first image and the second image to thereafter use for fulfilling requests for data.