What is ripple effect in software engineering?

The ripple effect in software engineering refers to the phenomenon where a change in one part of a system leads to unintended consequences and additional changes in other parts of the system. This can occur due to dependencies between components, where modifying one element requires adjustments in others to maintain functionality and integrity. Such effects can complicate maintenance, increase the risk of bugs, and extend development time, emphasizing the importance of careful design and impact analysis during the software development process.