What does code protection or logic hiding prevent?

Code protection or logic hiding is primarily focused on preventing one software unit from accessing another's code. This practice is crucial in software development security as it enhances the integrity and confidentiality of the codebase. By restricting access, it helps ensure that sensitive algorithms and logic are not exposed to unauthorized units or malicious actors within the same environment, which could lead to exploitation or reverse engineering.

This approach typically employs techniques such as encapsulation, obfuscation, or modularization, wherein the internal workings of components are hidden from one another. Such measures are vital in safeguarding intellectual property and maintaining the overall security posture of the software, especially in large applications where multiple components interact.

In contrast, the other options address different security concerns that are not directly related to what code protection or logic hiding specifically aims to prevent. Unauthorized access to data is about securing data storage and transmission, while preventing malicious alterations of database records focuses on data integrity within databases. Additionally, system downtime during updates pertains to operational availability rather than code access control.