How is the term "technical debt" defined in software projects?

The term "technical debt" in software projects refers to the implications of choosing an easy or quick solution to solve a problem, rather than a more efficient or thorough approach that may take longer to implement. This concept acknowledges that these shortcuts can lead to additional costs and complications in the future, as they may require more effort to maintain, fix, or modify the software later on.

As a project progresses, the accumulated "debt" from these suboptimal choices can make the codebase more challenging to work with, as it may have inherent issues that need to be addressed. Therefore, it's essential for software teams to balance short-term gains with the potential long-term costs associated with technical debt when making development decisions. This understanding allows teams to manage their resources effectively and develop a healthier, more maintainable codebase over time.