Software rot refers to:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When we talk about software rot, we’re addressing how a software system tends to become harder to modify or maintain over time even if it appears to still function.
Option 1: 'Files degrading' suggests only a loss of data or file corruption, which is not what software rot specifically describes; rot is about architectural decay and maintainability rather than file integrity.
Option 2: 'Decline in responsiveness/maintainability' captures the core idea that codebase entropy, drifting requirements, and accumulating defects make the software slower to change and harder to work with, which is a classic description of software rot.
Option 3: 'Hardware aging' points to the physical aging of hardware, which is separate from software rot; rot is a software phenomenon, not a hardware one.
Option 4: 'A virus deleting classes' implies malicious external interference rather than the gradual internal decay of a software system over time; while malware can affect software, it is not the definitional concept of software rot.
Overall, the most accurate option is the one that emphasizes the gradual decline in the software’s ability to be modified and maintained over time, rather than issues with data files, hardware, or external attacks.

CPSC-491-01 Software Engineering (Fall 2025) CPSC 491 Exam 2

Software rot refers to:

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

What happens during the maintenance stage of the incremental development process?

Which type of maintenance is intended to avoid possible system failures in the future?

Which phase does the organization perform changes, corrections, additions, and upgrades to ensure the system continues to meet business goals?

_____________________ involves changing an operational system to make it more efficient, reliable, and maintainable.

Enhancement, upgrades and bug fixing are done during the _________ phase in the SDLC. Fill in the blank from the list below:

Enhancement, upgrades and bug fixing are done during the _________ phase in the SDLC. Fill in the blank from the list below:

Enhancement, upgrades and bug fixing are done during the _________ phase in the SDLC. Fill in the blank from the list below:

If the customer needs the software to perform additional tasks, they will ask the vendor for an enhancement.如果客户需要该软件来执行其他任务，他们将要求供应商进行增强。In which phase does this occur?这发生在哪个阶段？

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler