the present invention is intended to provide a program management system for , upon activation of a program updating operation , automatically performing according to a mode selected by preparing plural kinds of program updating modes and previously selecting one of them . there is disclosed a program management apparatus adapted to perform a program updating operation of a program by downloading the program from a server which manages an information of the program to a predetermined terminal device , comprising : pattern setting means , which retains plural kinds of patterns each serving as a mode for giving an information inclusive of a program and updating such a program , for allowing a user to select one of the patterns so as to previously set it as a selected pattern ; and program updating means for , upon activation of a program updating operation , automatically performing said program updating operation according to said selected pattern set by said pattern setting means .