What is one goal of maintainability in software engineering?

One significant goal of maintainability in software engineering is to simplify future updates and modifications. Maintainability refers to how easily software can be changed to correct defects, improve performance, or adapt to a changed environment. When a system is designed with maintainability in mind, the code is structured in such a way that developers can understand and modify it more easily. This involves using clear coding standards, consistent documentation, and allowing for modular design, which helps new developers quickly become familiar with the system and reduces the time and effort needed to implement enhancements or fixes.

By focusing on maintainability, teams can reduce the chances of introducing new bugs during updates and ensure that changes align with the overall architecture of the application. This ultimately leads to a more robust system that can adapt to users' needs without extensive rewrites, which is crucial in a rapidly changing technology landscape.