Let’s split up the word ‘code maintenance’ and understand what it stands for.

Code in information theory and computer science is simply program instructions and, Maintenance is to care or upkeep. Combining these two words, it clearly states that code maintenance is to take care of or to keep the code in good condition.

If there is a problem statement, what we do is we look at it and try to process and then write what comes to our mind to solve it as soon as possible. After getting all the tests done correctly, we tend to leave it forever, not caring much about its efficiency or improving the code. Only writing a code is not enough one needs to learn how to write the same piece in a better way, and that is what code maintenance is.

There is a misconception about code maintenance which is that it means reducing the length of code. One must understand that it is not always about reducing the number of lines but is making the code work more efficiently.

Also, keep in mind that writing maintainable code (a code that is easy to make changes or extend) is as important as maintaining code.