“Batteries-included” is commonly used in the software and technology world to describe a philosophy or approach where a tool, framework, or platform comes with a comprehensive set of built-in features and components. This means that users do not need to install or configure additional modules, plugins, or dependencies to get started. The core functionality required to use the software is already included, making it easier for users to quickly begin using the tool without having to worry about additional setup or external dependencies.
The batteries-included approach aims to provide a seamless, user-friendly experience by bundling together all essential features that are likely to be needed in common use cases. This contrasts with other approaches, where the software may be more minimalistic, and users are required to install and configure additional packages or libraries to achieve the desired functionality.
For example, in programming languages or frameworks, a batteries-included approach might include pre-configured modules for common tasks such as file handling, networking, security, or data manipulation. This reduces the time and effort required to get a project up and running, as users don’t have to hunt for or install third-party libraries.
A well-known example of a batteries-included framework is Python, which comes with a vast standard library that includes tools for web development, data analysis, and more, allowing developers to perform many tasks without needing to search for external libraries. Similarly, web frameworks like Django are considered batteries-included because they provide built-in features like authentication, database integration, and form handling, so developers don’t have to implement these from scratch.