Barter System
The barter system is an ancient method of exchange where goods or services are traded directly without using money as a medium. It relies on a double coincidence of wants, meaning both parties must desire what the other offers. This system predates monetary economies and is still used in informal or localized contexts today.
Developers should understand the barter system as a foundational economic concept that illustrates the limitations of direct exchange, which led to the development of money and modern financial systems. It's relevant in contexts like blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi), where peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries are modeled. Knowledge of barter helps in designing systems for resource sharing, barter-based platforms, or economic simulations in software.