reference implementation

noun

A piece of software that implements a specification of requirements and whose main purpose is to help in the creation of other software implementations of the specification by serving as a point of reference rather than being put to directly productive use.

Similar
model implementationsample implementation
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Meanings

nounreference implementation (plural reference implementations)

plural reference implementations

  1. computingA piece of software that implements a specification of requirements and whose main purpose is to help in the creation of other software implementations of the specification by serving as a point of reference rather than being put to directly productive use.

    Synonyms: model implementation, sample implementation

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA piece of software that implements a specification of requirements and whose main purpose is to help in the creation of other software implementations of the specification by serving as a point of reference rather than being put to directly productive use.

Similar
model implementationsample implementation
Also see
model implementationsample implementation

Translations

Finnish mallitoteutus, viitetoteutus
  • mallitoteutusimplementation of a specification which serves as an example
  • viitetoteutusimplementation of a specification which serves as an example
Cite this entry
APA

reference implementation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reference%20implementation

MLA

“reference implementation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reference%20implementation. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “reference implementation,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reference%20implementation.

Source: reference implementation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.