Boilerplate code is pre-written code that can be used across multiple projects. It can be accessed through code libraries, but may create clunky code. The term comes from generic advertisements in newspapers. Programmers should consider if standard code is necessary for a project and avoid excessive coding. Stylistic elements like notes may also be included.
Boilerplate code is a stock programming language that can be used without alteration across multiple projects. Programmers can plug it in to perform various functions without manually coding for those tasks. In some cases, it can perform a function through an indirect way that takes up space and creates clunky and messy code. Programmers may prefer to look for alternatives to standard code in these situations to simplify their work and limit extraneous processes when their programs or commands are executed.
The origins of the term “boilerplate” lie in the flat plates used to stamp generic advertisements that could be sent to multiple newspapers at once. Newspapers could quickly insert a standard promotion to fill the space, without having to set the type or create a new dish. As a slang term, “boilerplate” has caught on in the legal community, where it is commonly used in contracts and eventually in programming to describe any generic, interchangeable text.
Programmers using standard code can move it between projects without having to change it. Some programming sites have a code library that users can access to acquire the standard code for various projects. Programmers can also maintain their own reference libraries. Boilerplate in a variety of programming languages can be made available through libraries and reference texts. Templates have been known to work, because they have been added to other projects and can create a shortcut when a programmer needs to insert a function into a block of code.
One problem with using standard code is that it might be redundant for a particular project. There may be an easier and more streamlined way to perform the desired function, if the programmer is willing to write a new section. Sometimes standard code can appear multiple times in a project to provide functionality when a single block of custom code might be more appropriate. Some programmers work to avoid excessive coding in their projects to keep them lean and functional.
Other examples are included in all programming as a matter of custom and style. For example, programmers often include notes at the beginning of programs and commands to provide information about the programming language. They can offer notices about how the code can and should be used, can discuss copyright issues, and can name the developer and provide contact information. This data is not strictly necessary for operation, but may be included by the developer for stylistic reasons because it is expected.
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