Feature Flag
A feature flag is a software tool that lets developers turn a new feature on or off for users without changing the code or redeploying the application.
How it works
It works by wrapping a new piece of functionality in a conditional statement that checks the flag's status. This allows teams to test features with a small group, perform gradual rollouts, and quickly disable a feature if it causes problems, making development safer and more agile.
Examples
- 1.A social media app slowly rolling out a new 'stories' feature to 5% of users to test performance.
- 2.An e-commerce site instantly disabling a new checkout button during a holiday sale because it's causing errors.
- 3.A team using a flag to show a holiday-themed UI only to employees for internal testing before the public launch.