hacky code

8.3

Code written quickly as a temporary fix that causes problems

noun

Jargon

: código chapucero

It's often tempting to write hacky code to fix bugs quickly, but it can cause more trouble later.

Examples

He regretted shipping the project with so much hacky code just to meet the deadline.
The app crashed frequently due to all the hacky code left in after the last update.
This project is full of hacky code!
I found some hacky code in the application.
He regretted shipping the project with so much hacky code just to meet the deadline.
It's often tempting to write hacky code to fix bugs quickly, but it can cause more trouble later.
The app crashed frequently due to all the hacky code left in after the last update.

Synonyms

spaghetti code

vshacky code

Jargon

1 7.2

Poorly organized computer code that is tangled and hard to change

is a quick temporary inelegant solution rather than a tangled structure

dirty code

vshacky code

Jargon

7.2

Computer code that is badly written and hard to read or fix

is a quick temporary inelegant solution rather than lasting quality

Antonyms

clean code

Specialized

1 4.0

Clear, well organized computer instructions that are easy to read and change

How Clean

clean code

Specialized

1 4.0

hacky code

Jargon

8.3

dirty code

Jargon

7.2

spaghetti code

Jargon

1 7.2

Surface Forms

hacky code singular

hacky codes plural

Morphology

hacky + code

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'hacky' (improvised, low-quality) modifies 'code' (program instructions), so the combined meaning 'poorly written or quick-and-dirty code' follows straightforwardly. This adjective+noun formation is transparent and predictable for learners who know both constituent words.

Etymology

Hacky code may come from the idea of 'hacking' — making rough, fast cuts like someone chopping wood, so hacky means rough or done quickly and code means computer instructions. So hacky code means code put together as a 'quick fix' and not written carefully.