🤝 A person who assists 💻 A support tool

helper

13 3.9

A small piece of code that other programs use for common tasks

noun
/ˈhɛlpər/

Specialized

: función auxiliar

So the first part of it is a little helper function, not a method, right?
T-helper
helper T cells

Examples

OK, so with this little helper function, we want to write the solver.
This download helper has to be a function that returns void.
I used a similar helper file in one of my first Yii projects.

Blog text (3)
Often external software or "helper applications" need to be configured to your web browser for complete functionality.

Academic text (1995)
From a clinical perspective, these findings have implications for school counselors and other helpers.

Academic text (2008)
The developer created a small helper function to streamline the code and make it more efficient.
This tool includes a helper that assists users in troubleshooting common issues.
To improve the program, we added a helper module that simplifies data processing.

Synonyms

little helper

vshelper

5 3.2

A person or thing that makes a task easier

is specific to a small software component providing auxiliary functions for other code

assistor

vshelper

4.3

A person or thing that helps someone with a task

is limited to a small software component offering support functions for other code

Antonyms

main file

Specialized

1 3.9

A central computer document that holds official records for a project

Compounds

little helper

5 3.2

A person or thing that makes a task easier

helper cell

Specialized

1 4.9

A white blood cell that helps other immune cells fight infections

mother's little helper

NSFW

8.9

A small thing that helps a parent get through the day, like a drink, medicine, or tool

helper T cell

Specialized

4.2

A white blood cell that recognizes infected cells and helps other immune cells fight infection

plumber's helper

Archaic

4.1

A stick with a rubber cup used to clear blockages in drains

plumber's helper

4.6

A person who carries tools and does basic manual work for a plumber

How Useful

framework

175 4.2

library

Specialized

77 4.9

utility routine

Specialized

4.9

helper

Specialized

13 3.9

module

101 3.7

Surface Forms

helper singular

helpers plural

Morphology

helper = help (transparent) = help + er

Same productive agentive/nominal formation as in general English; the sense is extended metaphorically to a software component but remains predictable.

Etymology

Helper is built from help, 'to give aid', and the ending -er, 'one who does something'. In computing, a helper is a small piece of code that 'gives help' to other parts of a program, so it makes the main code easier to use.