Words have meaning, even in IT
Briefly

The term 'tech debt' traditionally referred to coding shortcuts taken for speed or cost savings, potentially resulting in long-term expenses. Recently, however, analysts and vendors are repurposing this term, using it to describe complications from legacy systems. This shift has been noted in discussions surrounding the complexities of transitioning to products like Windows 11. The growing trend to redefine established terms jeopardizes the clarity and integrity of technical language within the industry.
The definition of 'tech debt' is being hijacked by analysts and vendors, transforming its meaning from coding shortcuts to the struggles of dealing with legacy systems.
Tech debt has traditionally referred to coding shortcuts that can lead to long-term costs and inefficiencies, not the current alternative constructions being employed.
The increase in complexity regarding system upgrades and dependencies is now being mischaracterized as 'the great reckoning of technical debt,' diluting the term's original significance.
The fabric of language must be preserved; terminology like 'tech debt' should retain its original meaning to avoid confusion in the IT industry.
Read at Computerworld
[
|
]