Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Maintainability refers to the ease with which a program can be modified, updated, or debugged over time. A maintainable codebase is structured, well-documented, and follows best practices, making it easier for developers to work on.
Related terms
Refactoring: Refactoring is the process of restructuring existing code without changing its external behavior. It aims to improve readability, performance, or maintainability while keeping the same functionality intact.
Version control systems like Git help manage changes made to a project's source code over time. They enable collaboration among developers by tracking modifications and allowing easy rollback if needed.
Debugging is the process of finding and fixing errors or bugs in a program's logic. It involves analyzing code execution and using tools like breakpoints or logging statements to identify issues.