settingdependent

Settingdependent is an adjective used to describe phenomena, behavior, or outputs that vary based on configuration settings, user preferences, or environmental conditions. In documentation and API design, labeling a feature as settingdependent signals that its result cannot be fully determined without knowledge of the active settings.

Examples include software functions that format data according to locale; rendering pipelines that adjust quality, color management, or rasterization details based on a quality or performance setting; cryptographic modules that select a mode or padding based on configuration; or user interface components that alter layout or interaction patterns depending on display size, theme, or accessibility options. Hardware and drivers also exhibit settingdependent behavior: power management features, polling rates, or sensor calibration can change with a power mode or user-selected profiles.

Why it matters: documenting settingdependent behavior helps users understand when results may vary and prevents incorrect assumptions about fixed outputs. Tests and quality assurance should cover combinations of settings, and default values and the scope of influence should be stated. Developers should consider the implications of changing settings at runtime and provide graceful degradation or clear reconfiguration paths.

Best practices include explicitly documenting which settings influence behavior, including a settings matrix in test plans, and designing APIs to preserve backward compatibility when settings change. Terminology-wise, settingdependent is a descriptive label used in software engineering and product documentation; it is not a formal, standardized term. Synonyms include configuration-dependent or parameter-dependent.