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Emergency Repairs and Software Ageing

publish date: 2026/06/23 19:36:38.628453 UTC

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How do emergency system repairs typically affect the long-term maintainability of a software system?

They have no measurable effect on the system's future maintainability

They always improve system structure because they force code review

They permanently fix all related issues so no further changes are needed in that area

They tend to accelerate the process of software ageing, making future changes progressively more difficult and increasing maintenance costs

Correct Answer

They tend to accelerate the process of software ageing, making future changes progressively more difficult and increasing maintenance costs

Explanation

Emergency repairs require choosing a quick, workable solution rather than the best solution for system structure. This tends to accelerate software ageing, meaning future changes become progressively more difficult and maintenance costs increase over time.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Urgent Changes and Emergency Repairs