Code Generation
Code generation is the process of automatically creating source code from higher-level specifications, templates, or models, often using tools or frameworks to reduce manual coding effort. It involves transforming input data, such as configuration files, domain-specific languages, or abstract syntax trees, into executable code in a target programming language. This technique is widely used to boost productivity, ensure consistency, and handle repetitive tasks in software development.
Developers should use code generation when building applications with repetitive patterns, such as CRUD operations, API clients, or data models, to save time and minimize errors. It's particularly valuable in large-scale projects, code scaffolding, or when integrating with frameworks that rely on generated code for performance or boilerplate reduction. For example, in web development, tools like Swagger Codegen generate client SDKs from OpenAPI specifications, while in mobile apps, Flutter's build_runner generates serialization code.