In code standards, how do non-functional requirements influence development?

• A. Non-functional requirements influence code standards like performance, security, reliability, usability
• B. They are optional and rarely used
• C. They only affect marketing
• D. They are the same as functional requirements

Answer: (B)

Non-functional requirements shape how we write code by defining quality attributes the software must meet, not just what it should do. They guide code standards across many areas, including performance, security, reliability, usability, maintainability, and portability. Because these attributes matter, they influence architectural decisions, API design, testing approaches, and the tooling we use.

For example, performance expectations push us to choose efficient algorithms, minimize memory usage, and profile critical paths. Security requirements lead to secure coding practices, input validation, proper error handling, and secure defaults. Reliability and monitoring requirements drive robust error handling, retry policies, fault tolerance, and observability. Usability requirements affect how we design interfaces and error messages to be clear and accessible. Maintainability and portability shape coding standards around readability, modularity, documentation, and platform considerations.

Therefore, non-functional requirements are integral to development and directly shape the standards we follow. They are not optional, they’re not about marketing, and they aren’t the same as functional requirements, which specify what the system should do.