Many people presume that software, because it “merely” consists of source-code files, is easy to change

You're absolutely right.
Unfortunately, writing code it's considered just writing. When discussing, I often use the metaphor of building an house: If you want a kitchen on the second floor, and after the work ends you realize that is better to have a kitchen on the first floor, if you design a familiar house but after you want an open space, it's easy to realize that throw down everything and redo it's a cost of time, money, and resource.

I'm completely agree with your analysis.

In reply to Re^2: Good programming practices and changes in requirements: how to maintain good code by DanBev
in thread Good programming practices and changes in requirements: how to maintain good code by DanBev

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