What does "scaffolding" mean in programming?
scaffolding 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
Automatically generated starter code, folder structure, or configuration files that provide the skeleton of a project or feature. Scaffolding lets developers skip repetitive setup and start with a working structure. CLI tools like create-react-app and Rails generators produce scaffolding.
Example
"Run the CLI to scaffold a new service: it generates the folder structure, Dockerfile, and test setup automatically."
Related terms
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