codeSnippet

A code snippet is a short excerpt of source code intended to illustrate a concept, demonstrate how to use an API, or perform a specific task within a larger software program. Snippets typically range from a few lines to a few dozen lines and are designed to be read and understood quickly.

Code snippets are widely used in documentation, tutorials, technical articles, and educational materials. They provide concrete examples that help readers grasp how code should be written and how components interact. Snippets can be standalone or embedded within larger examples, README files, or wikis, and are often accompanied by explanations, comments, or references to libraries and versions.

Formats and storage for code snippets vary. They are language-specific and commonly shown with syntax highlighting. Snippets may be stored as plain text files, included in documentation, or managed by snippet libraries in integrated development environments. Metadata such as the programming language, description, and intended use is frequently associated with a snippet to aid discovery and reuse.

Best practices for creating effective snippets include making them self-contained and reproducible, providing any necessary imports or setup steps, and keeping them minimal while still illustrating the point. Snippets should avoid external dependencies when possible and be accompanied by a short explanation. When sharing code, it is important to respect licensing and attribution requirements and to ensure that the snippet remains accurate with the referenced language version and libraries.

Related concepts include code blocks, sample code, and snippet managers or templates used in editors and documentation systems.