Ad Hoc Programming
Ad hoc programming is a software development approach where code is written quickly and informally to solve a specific, immediate problem without following formal design patterns, best practices, or long-term planning. It often involves creating temporary solutions, one-off scripts, or prototypes that are not intended for reuse or maintenance. This method prioritizes speed and convenience over code quality, scalability, and documentation.
Developers should use ad hoc programming in situations requiring rapid prototyping, debugging, or solving urgent, short-term issues where formal development processes would be too slow or unnecessary. It is useful for tasks like data analysis scripts, quick automation of repetitive tasks, or testing hypotheses in research. However, it should be avoided for production systems or long-term projects due to risks of technical debt, bugs, and maintenance challenges.