Template

Template may mean:

• a stencil, pattern or overlay used in graphic arts (drawing, painting, etc) and sewing to replicate letters, shapes or designs
• a pre-developed page layout in electronic or paper media used to create new pages from the same design, pattern, or style
• Form letter, a standard letter in electronic or paper media used many times with details for individual recipients added

In computer science and information technology:

• Template (programming), a tool for generic programming especially in the C++ language
• Template metaprogramming, a programming technique used by a compiler to generate temporary source code
• Template (software engineering), any processing element that can be combined with a data model and processed by a template engine to produce a result document
• Template (file format), a standardized file type used by computer software as a pre-formatted example on which to base other files, especially documents
• Template (word processing), a standard document containing layout and styles used to configure word processing software
• Style sheet or master page on which you can globally edit and format graphic elements and text common to each page of a document
• Web template, a master page used to produce web pages
• A main document from which mail merge documents are created

In manufacturing:

• Mechanical template, used to cut and shape a product, such as:
  • a die (manufacturing)
  • a mold
  • a jig (tool)

In molecular genetics:

• a strand of DNA which sets the genetic sequence of new strands
• a strand of RNA which translates genes into proteins

In other uses:

• Template (racing), a device used in car racing to ensure that the body of the race vehicle adheres to specifications

See also

• Template system (computing)
• Web template system