maintenance

Design decisions taken during the development of an application can, therefore, cost far more than was apparent at the time. See On the Criteria To Be Used in Decomposing Systems into Modules. Making the right decisions allows unforeseen changes to be made cost-effectively. Making the wrong decisions can mean that business-driven changes in requirements cannot be made to the existing system.

The "new model" (see rouftop's write-up) takes this latter statement to heart. No effort is expended on making the system maintainable. The development lifecycle is geared towards getting something delivered cheaply.

It remains to be seen if, in the longer term, this proves to be a cost-effective model.

Main"te*nance (?), n. [OF. maintenance. See Maintain.]

1.

The act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication.

Whatsoever is granted to the church for God's honor and the maintenance of his service, is granted to God. South.

2.

That which maintains or supports; means of sustenance; supply of necessaries and conveniences.

Those of better fortune not making learning their maintenance. Swift.

3. Crim.Law

An officious or unlawful intermeddling in a cause depending between others, by assisting either party with money or means to carry it on. See Champerty.

Wharton.

Cap of maintenance. See under Cap.

© Webster 1913.