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What does "spike" mean in programming?
spike 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
A time-boxed investigation or experiment to reduce uncertainty before estimating or implementing a feature. A spike produces knowledge, not production code. The output is usually a recommendation, a proof of concept, or a decision.
Example
"Let's do a two-day spike on the payment provider options before we commit to an implementation."
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