configurationdefined

Configurationdefined is a term used to describe software systems whose behavior is governed primarily by external configuration data rather than hard-coded logic. In practice, a configurationdefined approach relies on configuration sources such as files, environment variables, feature flags, and service discovery to determine which components to load, which features to enable, and how data is processed. The term is not standardized and often appears in discussions of configuration-driven design or systems architecture rather than as a formal specification.

Key characteristics include a clear separation between code and configuration, the use of externalized settings to control behavior, and support for changes to behavior without recompilation or redeployment in some environments. Configurationdefined systems typically employ configuration formats like YAML, JSON, or XML, combined with validation and, in some cases, runtime hot-reloading to apply updates. They may also incorporate policy or rule engines to evaluate configuration-driven decisions.

Advantages of this approach include greater flexibility, easier customization for different deployments, and faster iteration cycles. However, it can introduce complexity in configuration management, require robust validation, and pose risks if configurations drift from intended states or lack proper auditing.

Applications span cloud-native services, enterprise applications, content management systems, and IoT devices, where behavior must adapt to varying environments or customer requirements. Related concepts include configuration-driven development, feature flags, and rule-based engines. See also configuration management and environment variables.