Which of the following is an advantage of software reuse?

Software reuse is the practice of using existing software components in new applications instead of developing them from scratch. One of the primary advantages of this approach is that it enhances maintainability and reduces development costs.

When existing software components or modules are reused, developers can leverage tested and proven code, which typically leads to fewer errors and bugs. This not only makes the coding process more efficient but also accelerates the overall development timeline as developers spend less time creating new functionalities. Furthermore, the use of established components often translates to better documentation and support, which can enhance maintainability. Regular updates and modifications to reused components are generally easier to manage, thus reducing long-term maintenance costs compared to freshly developed code that may require extensive testing and documentation.

In contrast, the other answer choices highlight drawbacks or misconceptions associated with software development. For instance, increasing the amount of new code, limiting usability, and requiring more time for debugging are not characteristics associated with the benefits of software reuse, reinforcing why the selected choice is the most accurate representation of its advantages.