Tech Debt
Tech Debt refers to the accumulation of suboptimal or inefficient code within a software system that necessitates future rework to improve functionality or maintainability. This concept arises when shortcuts or temporary solutions are implemented to meet deadlines or address immediate needs, often leading to compromises in code quality. As development progresses, these compromises can accumulate, resulting in a “debt” that must be “paid off” later through refactoring, rewriting, or other corrective measures.
Tech debt can impact a project’s long-term viability and scalability, as it may introduce bugs, hinder performance, or complicate future development efforts. Addressing tech debt requires careful planning and resource allocation to balance the urgency of immediate tasks with the need for code improvement. Proactively managing tech debt is crucial for maintaining a robust and adaptable software system.