Programming FundamentalsBeginner
Boilerplate
PronunciationBOY-ler-playt
Definition
Boilerplate refers to sections of code that must be included in many places with little or no alteration to perform a specific task. It is often considered repetitive code that is necessary to satisfy the requirements of a language or framework.
Where you hear it
- During project setup or configuration. - When discussing modern frameworks that aim to reduce code verbosity. - While reviewing code that feels repetitive.
Examples
We need to reduce the boilerplate code in our data models.
This framework generates all the necessary boilerplate for a new API endpoint.
Common mistake
Thinking that boilerplate is always bad code; while it can be tedious, it is often a structural requirement of the language or library to ensure type safety or proper initialization.
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