configurationdependent

Configurationdependent is an attribute of software, systems, or components whose behavior, interfaces, or feature availability vary according to configuration settings. This dependence can originate from compile-time options, runtime configuration, or deployment parameters. The concept helps describe why a piece of code behaves differently in different environments or builds, and why some functionality is not guaranteed to be present in all configurations.

Common sources of configuration dependence include conditional compilation flags (such as enable/disable options in compiled languages), platform-specific code paths, and runtime configuration files or environment variables. Feature flags are a widely used mechanism that can turn features on or off without changing code, enabling A/B experiments or staged rollouts.

Configurationdependent design presents challenges for testing and maintenance. Reproducing issues may require matching a specific set of options, and undocumented dependencies can cause confusion. Good practice includes documenting configuration options, providing sensible defaults, centralizing configuration management, and using patterns such as dependency injection to minimize hard-wired configuration.

Related concepts include configurability, conditional compilation, environment-specific builds, and feature flags. Understanding configuration dependence is important for software portability, reproducibility, and security, since hidden or misconfigured options can alter behavior or expose surfaces not present in other configurations.