Hardkodet

Hardkodet is a term used in software development to describe data, configuration values, or logic that is embedded directly into program source code rather than being supplied at runtime from external sources. In practice, hardcoding means assigning fixed literals or constants into code, such as a password, API endpoint, feature flag, or numeric parameter, rather than reading from a file, environment variable, database, or user input. The term is borrowed from English "hard-coded" and is commonly used in Norwegian and other Scandinavian contexts.

Hardcoding is often seen during prototyping or when speed is prioritized over long-term adaptability. However, it is generally regarded as an anti-pattern because it reduces flexibility, complicates maintenance, and can create security risks if secrets or credentials are embedded. Hard-coded values also make testing harder, since different environments (development, staging, production) require code changes and recompilation.

Best practices to avoid hardcoding include externalizing configuration through environment variables, configuration files, or secret management systems, and using dependency injection or parameterization to pass values at runtime. For secrets, dedicated secret stores, vaults, or service accounts should be used. If a value must be constant across environments, documenting its rationale and centralizing the value in a single configuration module can help. In summary, hardkodet describes fixed data in code, typically discouraged in mature software projects in favor of configurable, maintainable approaches.