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Glite Dictionary
🧬 Noncoding DNA 🗑️ Unused parts
junk DNA

junk DNA

4.6
Unneeded parts of a system, such as old code or data, that should be removed
  • noun
  • /dʒʌŋk diːˈɛnˈeɪ/
  • Informal
translation icon : código innecesario
  • The large amount of unnecessary code in the program is a classic case of junk DNA, hindering efficiency.

Examples

  • Yes, I have learned much about chromosome fusion and additional sources of "junk" DNA—more than what is required to be taught in the HS classroom to cover the National science "standards."

    Blog text (26)

  • In software development, we often find that unused functions and variables are examples of junk DNA that should be removed.

  • These irrelevant files in the database are like junk DNA, being outdated and no longer necessary for our current operations.

Synonyms

garbage
vsjunk DNA
  • Informal
246 1.6

Useless or silly information, for example in unwanted emails

refers to leftover system parts that are nonfunctional and removable
cruft
vsjunk DNA
  • Specialized
1 9.5

Extra unused parts of computer code that slow a program

applies to nonfunctional parts across systems, not only to code

How Necessary

core
468 3.2
component
447 3.4
junk DNA
  • Informal
4.6

Surface Forms

junk DNA singular
junk DNAs plural

Morphology

junk + DNA

The modifier 'junk' (worthless) plus 'DNA' (the hereditary molecule) gives a straightforward sense of 'useless or nonfunctional genetic material', so a learner who knows both words can infer the basic meaning. However, the term is technical and frequently extended metaphorically to non-biological systems (e.g., 'junk DNA' in code), and that specialized/figurative usage is not fully predictable from the parts alone.

Etymology

Junk DNA is used as a simple image from biology: people compare old or unused parts of a system to bits of DNA called junk that do not make genes. So in this sense it means 'unnecessary or obsolete parts' of software or data that can be removed.