What does the principle of 'DRY' stand for in programming?

The principle of 'DRY' stands for "Don’t Repeat Yourself." This fundamental concept in programming emphasizes the importance of reducing repetition of code patterns. By adhering to this principle, developers aim to write code that is more concise and maintainable. When you avoid duplicating code, it leads to fewer bugs and easier updates, since changes need to be made in only one location rather than multiple instances. This not only improves the readability of the code but also enhances the efficiency of development processes.

Integrating the DRY principle encourages the use of functions, classes, and modules to encapsulate reusable code. By doing so, programmers can maintain a single source of truth for data and functionality, ensuring that the system remains cohesive and easier to understand over time.