ohjelmarunko

ohjelmarunko is a Finnish term describing the basic, reusable core structure of a software program. The word combines ohjelma, meaning program, and runko, meaning skeleton or frame, and it refers to the minimal architecture that supports development rather than a complete application.

An ohjelmarunko typically defines a project layout, a main entry point, and common capabilities such as configuration loading, initialization of services, logging, error handling, and placeholders for the main modules. It embodies the principle of separation of concerns and can reflect a chosen architectural style, such as layered, MVC, or component-based.

Skeletons vary by domain: a console application skeleton might include a simple main function and a routine for parsing arguments; a web application skeleton might include a routing layer, controllers, and a basic data access layer; an embedded system skeleton might include initialization, a main loop, and watchdog handling.

Use of an ohjelmarunko is common in education, early prototyping, and team projects to ensure consistency and speed up onboarding. It provides a repeatable starting point that helps developers focus on domain logic rather than repetitive boilerplate, and it can be extended with project-specific components and patterns as needed.

Caveats include the risk of over-rigidity or outdated structure if the skeleton is not maintained. A good ohjelmarunko remains a living template that evolves with evolving requirements, technologies, and team practices, rather than a static code base.