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What does "hyphen" mean in programming?

hyphen 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 - character as used in compound words and naming conventions. Developers use hyphens in kebab-case (my-component), CSS class names, and package names. Identical in shape to a minus sign and a dash.

Example

"In kebab-case, words are joined with hyphens: my-react-component."

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