Code & architecture

Hardcoding

Also called: Hardcoded

The short version

Hardcoding means putting a particular value directly into code instead of letting it come from a setting, user input, or another source.

A price written into the instructions

If a shop’s delivery fee is written directly into its source code, changing the fee may require a code change and a new release. That fee is hardcoded. A configuration setting could let the team change it separately.

Hardcoding can be sensible for a value that truly never changes. It becomes a problem when values differ by customer or environment, or change often. Passwords and other secrets should not be put directly in code.