Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a software development technique that automatically generates a basic structure or skeleton code for an application, such as models, views, controllers, and database migrations, based on predefined templates or conventions. It helps developers quickly set up the initial project framework, reducing manual coding and ensuring consistency across the codebase. This approach is commonly used in web development frameworks to accelerate the creation of CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations and other repetitive tasks.
Developers should use scaffolding when starting new projects or adding standard features to save time and reduce errors by automating boilerplate code generation. It is particularly useful in rapid prototyping, educational settings, and when adhering to framework conventions like MVC (Model-View-Controller) in tools such as Ruby on Rails or Django. However, it's best suited for initial setup; developers often need to customize the generated code for specific requirements.