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What does "compatibility" mean in programming?

compatibility 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

The ability of software to work correctly with other systems, libraries, browsers, or older versions. Backward compatibility means existing code still works after an update; forward compatibility means new code works in older environments.

Example

"Check browser compatibility before shipping — the feature uses a CSS property that IE does not support."

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