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What does "AFK" mean in programming?

AFK is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.

Definition

Away From Keyboard. Used in chat to signal you are temporarily unavailable. Originally from gaming, now common in remote work Slack channels to let teammates know you are stepping away.

Example

"AFK for 30 min — grabbing lunch. Ping me when the deploy finishes."

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