Maintainability
Maintainability is a software quality attribute that refers to the ease with which a software system can be modified to correct faults, improve performance, or adapt to a changed environment. It encompasses aspects like code readability, modularity, documentation, and testability, enabling developers to efficiently update and extend software over its lifecycle. High maintainability reduces technical debt and long-term costs by making systems more adaptable and less prone to errors during changes.
Developers should prioritize maintainability to ensure software remains viable and cost-effective over time, especially in long-lived projects or large teams where code is frequently updated. It is critical in agile development, legacy system maintenance, and when scaling applications, as it minimizes downtime and facilitates onboarding of new team members. Learning maintainability principles helps prevent code rot and supports sustainable development practices.