The SAS program is the primary data processing tool for the YuMO Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Spectrometer. This work presents a retrospective analysis of its two-decade evolution, from a Fortran prototype to a modern software system. The analysis focuses on the architectural decisions that have ensured the program’s long-term viability and its ability to adapt to instrument upgrades. The core solution was a modular architecture that abstracts the detector system. This enabled the seamless integration of data from two scattering detectors and, later, from a position-sensitive detector. A strict processing pipeline and a unified internal data representation formed the basis for physically grounded algorithms, including weighted merging of spectra, resolution-aware smoothing, and built-in statistical quality control. The program’s interfaces – a command line for batch processing and a graphical user interface for interactive work – are built upon a single computational core, ensuring result consistency and flexibility in use. Long-term operation has confirmed that the underlying architectural principles naturally align with the key characteristics of international software quality standards, particularly those critical for long-term sustainability. Therefore, the development and evolution of SAS demonstrates a universal set of architectural principles that can serve as a foundation for building sustainable scientific software in related fields of experimental physics.