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Boilerplate vs Guideline - What's the difference?

boilerplate | guideline |

As nouns the difference between boilerplate and guideline

is that boilerplate is a sheet of steel used in the construction of a boiler while guideline is a non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.

As an adjective boilerplate

is describing text of a standard or routine nature.

boilerplate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Describing text of a standard or routine nature.
  • The contract contained all the usual boilerplate clauses.
  • Used to describe a non-functional spacecraft used to test configuration and procedures.
  • A boilerplate spacecraft was used to test the rocket

    Noun

  • A sheet of steel used in the construction of a boiler.
  • The rating-plate or nameplate required to be affixed to a boiler by the (UK) Boiler Explosions Act (1882)
  • A plate attached to industrial machinery, identifying information such as manufacturer, model number, serial number, and power requirements.
  • (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.

    Synonyms

    * boilerplate code (computing)

    See also

    * template * hotplate * boiling plate

    guideline

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.
  • He considered the Ten Commandments more a guideline than a requirement.
  • A plan or explanation to guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action.
  • A light line, used in lettering, to help align the text.
  • Synonyms

    * (non-specific rule) rule of thumb * (plan or explanation) rule of thumb