Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of good programming practices?

Good programming practices are essential for creating software that is easy to understand, modify, and maintain over time. The characteristic that is NOT aligned with these principles is code obscurity.

Code obscurity refers to writing code in a way that makes it difficult for others (or even the original author at a later date) to understand what the code is doing. This can involve using overly complex logic, unclear naming conventions, or unnecessary complexity. When code is obscure, it becomes challenging for other programmers to maintain it, leading to higher chances of bugs and increased difficulty when updates are required.

On the other hand, maintainability, efficiency, and code readability are all fundamental aspects of good programming practices. Maintainability ensures that a codebase can be easily updated and modified without introducing errors. Efficiency refers to the optimization of code to run smoothly and use resources effectively. Code readability emphasizes the importance of writing code that is clear and understandable, making it easier for others to collaborate and follow the logic.

In conclusion, while maintainability, efficiency, and code readability promote the overall quality and longevity of software, code obscurity directly undermines these goals.