Skeleton (computer programming)

Program skeletons resemble pseudocode, but allow parsing, compilation and testing of the code.

Dummy code is inserted in a program skeleton to simulate processing and avoid compilation error messages.

A program skeleton may also be utilized as a template that reflects syntax and structures commonly used in a wide class of problems.

The programs can also be too complex on their own, some with multiple methods accessing a single variable at the same time or even generating pixels for displays.

Skeleton programming mimics this, but differs in the way that it is commonly written in an integrated development environment, or text editors.

Most, if not all programming languages have skeleton code used to assist in the definition of all built-in functions and methods.

This provides a simple means for newer programmers to understand the syntax and intended implementation of the written methods.

‘Objects’ store data and variables in them, allowing for a typically more efficient program to be written.

Python has a similar approach to document its in-built methods, however mimics the language's lack of fixation on scope and data types.

The skeleton code provided in the example gives programmers a good understanding of the function at a quick glance.

Classes written by third-party developers, primarily as a part of libraries, also showcase their programming in the form of skeleton code.

This removed the need for learning syntactical rules, however meant that the class was written using a basic set of skeleton code.

Parallel programming is the operation of multiple functions simultaneously most commonly used to increase efficiency.

These are typically the hardest types of programs to develop, due to their complexity and interconnectedness with the hardware in question as well.

Many developers have attempted to write programs with this core functionality,[10] however this has been met by varied results.

Algorithmic skeleton frameworks are used in parallel programming to abstractly describe the methods in question for later development.