Explore the truth behind code boilerplates — this article delves into the myths and unveils the reality, helping you make informed decisions for a more efficient and customised coding experience. This article was originally published here.

In the world of programming, boilerplate code is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers a quick and convenient solution to common problems, saving time and effort. On the other hand, blindly adopting boilerplate code can lead to a myriad of issues, as it often lacks customisation and may not align with your specific project requirements.

Lack of Personalisation:

Boilerplate code’s generic nature poses a primary drawback — it’s designed as a one-size-fits-all solution. Yet, every project is unique, with specific requirements, constraints, and intricacies. Blind adoption risks implementing features that may not align with project needs, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary complexities.

Who Wrote the Boilerplate?

When you stumble upon a piece of boilerplate code that seems like the perfect solution to your problem, it’s crucial to question its origin. Can you vouch for the expertise and reliability of the individuals who authored it? The reality is, not all boilerplate code is crafted by programming geniuses who are immune to mistakes. Blindly trusting in someone else’s code without understanding its intricacies can result in hidden bugs, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues that may only surface later in the development process. No matter how backed the code is by the community, always verify the code yourself.

Following the Herd:

Human nature often leads to following the crowd, creating a herd mentality in the programming community. The widespread use of certain boilerplate code can create a herd mentality, where developers adopt popular solutions without critically evaluating their suitability for their own projects. This approach can stifle creativity and innovation, as programmers may become reluctant to explore alternative, potentially better, solutions tailored to their unique needs.

Understanding the Codebase:

Relying on boilerplate code may lead to overlooking the importance of understanding its underlying logic. While it may solve immediate problems, investing time to comprehend how the code operates is essential. Without a solid understanding, troubleshooting, updating, or adapting the code becomes challenging. When you opt to follow a boilerplate, you inadvertently commit to adopting not only the code structure but also the authors’ coding and writing styles. This limitation can have significant implications for your project, as the chosen boilerplate might enforce conventions that deviate from your preferred practices. Being tethered to the authors’ styles can lead to a lack of consistency within your codebase, making it harder to maintain, read, and collaborate on the project.

A Personal Experience:

In a recent project, urgency led our team to adopt widely-used boilerplate code, touting its success in numerous projects. However, the generic nature of the code did not align with our unique project requirements. Extraneous features added complexity instead of efficiency, necessitating the removal and restructuring of poorly written code. Stripping away unnecessary elements from the boilerplate revealed that the touted shortcut had become a time-consuming detour.

Conclusion

So, am I suggesting avoiding boilerplates altogether? Not at all! Feel free to use them, but consider crafting your own. As you advance in your career and engage in diverse projects, you’ll discover what works and what doesn’t. Harness that knowledge to create something uniquely tailored to your needs.