What does "ballpark" mean in programming?
ballpark 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
An informal rough estimate, not a precise figure. 'In the ballpark' means approximately correct. 'A ballpark figure' is an order-of-magnitude estimate used to make a decision before doing a detailed analysis. Common in planning conversations when stakeholders ask for an estimate before the work is fully understood.
Example
"I cannot give you an exact estimate without reading the code, but ballpark it is two to three days."
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