Systems
Library
Plain English
Pre-built code you can reuse.
Definition
A library is a collection of pre-written code that glossaryDeveloperA developer builds and maintains the technical implementation of a product.Open glossary term can use to perform common tasks.
In practice
Used to speed up development by reusing existing functionality instead of building from scratch.
The reality
Over-reliance on libraries can create unnecessary glossaryDependencyA dependency is a component or system that another part of the system relies on to function.Open glossary term and bloat.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is a library in programming?
It is a collection of reusable code.
Why are libraries useful?
They speed up development and reduce effort.
What is a risk of using libraries?
Too many glossaryDependencyA dependency is a component or system that another part of the system relies on to function.Open glossary term can cause issues.
How do you choose a library?
Based on glossaryReliabilityReliability is the ability of a system to consistently perform as expected without failure.Open glossary term, support, and suitability.
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