What happens to the cost of a bug the longer it goes undetected and unfixed?

As a software development project progresses, the cost associated with a bug typically increases over time if it remains undetected and unfixed. This is due to several factors. Initially, the direct cost of fixing a bug when it is newly discovered is generally lower because it may only require adjusting code in a limited or localized area. However, as time passes, a bug can lead to more severe consequences, including additional bugs, increased complexity, and potentially affecting more components of the system or product.

Additionally, bugs that go unfixed can hinder progress on later features or developments, resulting in deferred costs that accumulate. There can also be indirect costs, such as increased technical debt, potential damage to customer satisfaction, or increased costs related to enhanced testing requirements. Ultimately, as a project grows in size and complexity, the impact and subsequent cost of rectifying an earlier bug increases exponentially versus addressing it right away. Thus, the longer a bug remains unresolved, the more expensive it becomes to the project.