What are mashups in the context of software?

Mashups in the context of software refer to the combination of features from different applications or services to create new functionalities or services. This innovative approach takes existing data or functionalities from multiple sources and integrates them into a single, cohesive application. By doing this, developers can leverage the strengths of various technologies, enhance user experiences, and meet specific user needs more effectively.

For instance, a mashup might pull data from a mapping service and combine it with real-time weather information to create a travel recommendation tool. This capability allows developers to offer creative solutions by utilizing resources that are already available, rather than building everything from scratch.

The other options represent concepts that do not accurately capture the essence of mashups. Independent applications with no integrations do not represent the collaborative nature that defines mashups. Software that is not available for development and old software that is still being used do not relate to the integration and combinatory aspects critical to understanding what makes a mashup distinct.