Boilerplate vs. Template — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 27, 2024
Boilerplate refers to standardized text or code reused without significant change, while a template is a preset format serving as a starting structure for documents or designs.
Difference Between Boilerplate and Template
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Boilerplate content is often used in legal documents, software development, and writing to save time and ensure consistency across similar documents or codebases. It's typically more static, requiring minimal adjustments. On the other hand, templates are more about providing a flexible structure, adaptable to varying content needs in documents, websites, or graphic designs, emphasizing customization.
While boilerplate sections are generally copied with little to no modification, such as copyright notices or standard contract clauses, templates act as a guide, outlining the overall layout and where specific types of content should be placed. Templates are designed to be filled in or altered significantly.
In programming, boilerplate code is seen as necessary but tedious to write, often automated or minimized by software frameworks and libraries. Meanwhile, code templates might be provided by development environments to kickstart the creation of specific types of functions, classes, or entire applications, suggesting a more interactive approach with the developer.
Boilerplate content can sometimes be viewed negatively, especially when overused in contexts where personalization or innovation is valued, as it can imply a lack of originality. Templates, conversely, are generally seen as tools for creativity, providing a foundation upon which original work can be built, enhancing both efficiency and innovation.
The concept of boilerplate extends beyond text and code into any domain where standardization is key to efficiency and compliance, including business communication, legal documentation, and even repetitive tasks in creative work. Templates, however, are integral to design, development, and content creation, offering a balance between uniformity and personalization, facilitating a streamlined approach to complex tasks without stifling creativity.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Standardized text or code reused with little change
A preset format for creating documents, designs, or code
Purpose
To save time and ensure consistency
To provide a structure and guide customization
Customization
Minimal, used as is
High, designed to be modified
Usage Examples
Legal documents, repetitive code sections
Design mockups, website layouts, document formats
Perception
Can be seen as lacking originality when overused
Viewed as a tool for creativity and efficiency
Compare with Definitions
Boilerplate
Standardized legal disclaimer used across multiple documents.
The boilerplate at the end of the company emails includes a confidentiality notice.
Template
Preset document layout for reports or presentations.
He used a template for the annual report to maintain consistency.
Boilerplate
Generic instructions in manuals or guidelines.
Follow the boilerplate instructions for setting up the device.
Template
Framework for web page designs.
The web developer chose a template for the new site’s layout.
Boilerplate
Repetitive code in software development that doesn’t change.
He copied the boilerplate for the database connection from the project template.
Template
Blueprint for software or app development.
She started the project with a template from the IDE.
Boilerplate
Fixed text used in contracts or agreements.
The contract’s boilerplate clauses were not negotiable.
Template
Structure for creating business cards or flyers.
I designed my business cards using an online template.
Boilerplate
Standard email signatures.
She added a boilerplate signature to her email setup to save time.
Template
Basis for standardized emails or newsletters.
We use a template for our monthly newsletter for a cohesive look.
Boilerplate
Steel in the form of flat plates used in making steam boilers.
Template
A shaped piece of rigid material used as a pattern for processes such as cutting out, shaping, or drilling.
Boilerplate
Journalistic material, such as syndicated features, made available by agencies in a form that is already typeset, originally in plate form, for easy incorporation into publications such as newspapers.
Template
A timber or plate used to distribute the weight in a wall or under a support.
Boilerplate
Hackneyed or conventional language, usually expressing a generally accepted viewpoint
"He offered little more than boilerplate, a few watery clichés about how nations needed to work together" (Bill Turque).
Template
A pattern or gauge, such as a thin metal plate with a cut pattern, used as a guide in making something accurately, as in woodworking or the carving of architectural profiles.
Boilerplate
Standardized or set language that is meant to be used repeatedly, often in organizational publications or legal documents
"This was the story he told her ... when they first met and the story he stuck to, the original boilerplate" (Philip Roth).
Template
A document or file having a preset format, used as a starting point for a particular application so that the format does not have to be recreated each time it is used
A loan amortization template for a spreadsheet program.
Boilerplate
(Sports) Snow having a hard icy crust on its surface.
Template
An overlay that fits over all or part of a keyboard and has labels describing the functions of each key within a particular application.
Boilerplate
A sheet of copper or steel used in the construction of a boiler.
Template
A horizontal piece of stone or timber used to distribute weight or pressure, as over a door frame.
Boilerplate
(UK) The rating plate or nameplate required to be affixed to a boiler by the Boiler Explosions Act (1882).
Template
(Biochemistry) A molecule of a nucleic acid, such as DNA, that serves as a pattern for the synthesis of a macromolecule, as of RNA.
Boilerplate
A plate attached to industrial machinery, identifying information such as manufacturer, model number, serial number, and power requirements.
Template
A physical object whose shape is used as a guide to make other objects.
Boilerplate
(journalism) Syndicated material.
Template
A generic model or pattern from which other objects are based or derived.
Boilerplate
(computing) Standard text or program code used routinely and added with a text editor or word processor; text of a legal or official nature added to documents or labels.
They put that boilerplate on all the warning labels.
Template
(computing) document template file with a basic outline for a work
Boilerplate
Formulaic or hackneyed language.
Template
(molecular biology) A macromolecule which provides a pattern for the synthesis of another molecule.
Boilerplate
(skiing) Hard, icy snow which may be dangerous to ski on.
Template
A partially defined class or function, that can be instantiated in a variety of ways depending on the instantiation arguments.
Boilerplate
Describing text or other material of a standard or routine nature.
The contract contained all the usual boilerplate clauses.
Template
A strip of metal used in boiler-making, pierced with a series of holes, and serving as a guide in marking out a line of rivet-holes.
Boilerplate
(aeronautics) Used to refer to a non-functional spacecraft used to test configuration and procedures.
A boilerplate spacecraft was used to test the rocket.
Template
To set up or mark off using a template.
Boilerplate
(transitive) To store (standard text) so that it can easily be retrieved for reuse.
Template
To provide a template or pattern for.
Boilerplate
Standard formulations uniformly found in certain types of legal documents or news stories
Template
Same as Templet.
Boilerplate
Thick plate iron used in the production of boilers
Template
A model or standard for making comparisons
Common Curiosities
What is boilerplate content?
Boilerplate content refers to standardized text or code reused in multiple documents or projects with little to no modification.
Can templates be considered boilerplate?
No, templates are not considered boilerplate because they are designed for customization, unlike boilerplate, which is typically used without changes.
How can templates affect creativity?
Templates can enhance creativity by providing a solid foundation upon which original ideas can be built, streamlining the creative process.
How do boilerplate and template differ in usage?
Boilerplate is used as is for consistency, while templates are guides for creating customized content.
What makes templates valuable in design and development?
Templates provide a structure that can be customized, speeding up the design and development process while maintaining a level of consistency.
Why use boilerplate content?
To save time, ensure consistency, and maintain standardization in repetitive tasks or documents.
Do templates limit design options?
No, templates serve as a starting point, and their flexible nature allows for a wide range of design options.
How do templates facilitate document creation?
They provide a pre-structured format that users can fill in or modify, making document creation more efficient.
What are the benefits of using boilerplate in programming?
It reduces the need to write repetitive code, saving time and reducing the likelihood of errors.
What is a template?
A template is a preset format or structure used as a starting point for creating documents, designs, or code, allowing for customization.
Are there industries where boilerplate is preferred over templates?
Yes, industries such as legal, where standardization and compliance with specific wording are crucial, prefer boilerplate.
Why might someone choose a template over creating something from scratch?
To save time, ensure consistency, and leverage proven structures or designs, making the creative process more efficient.
Is it possible to customize boilerplate content?
While possible, customization of boilerplate content is minimal since its purpose is to provide standard, consistent text or code.
How does boilerplate content impact legal documents?
It ensures that legal documents adhere to certain standards and legal requirements, reducing the risk of omitting essential clauses or statements.
Can boilerplate content be personalized?
It is generally not personalized, as its purpose is to provide a uniform standard across multiple uses.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
