What does "elegant" mean in programming?
elegant 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
Describes a solution that is clever, clean, and satisfying — achieving the goal in a notably simple or aesthetically pleasing way. Elegant code solves a hard problem without unnecessary complexity. High praise in a code review.
Example
"Elegant solution — using a set here avoids the nested loop entirely."
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