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Software vs Hardware — Cost of Change

publish date: 2026/05/30 21:32:22.605362 UTC

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Why is the flexibility of software one of the main reasons it is increasingly incorporated into large, complex systems?

Because software changes are guaranteed to have no impact on other system components

Because software is always cheaper to produce than hardware from the start

Because software never needs to be tested after changes are made

Because changes can be made to software at any time during or after system development, whereas hardware changes are very expensive once manufacturing decisions are made

Correct Answer

Because changes can be made to software at any time during or after system development, whereas hardware changes are very expensive once manufacturing decisions are made

Explanation

Once a decision has been made to manufacture hardware, it is very expensive to change the hardware design. However, changes can be made to software at any time during or after system development. Even extensive software changes are still much cheaper than corresponding hardware changes.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 9th edition

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