Editing Prototype (section)

{{Short description|Early sample or model built to test a concept or process}}
{{other uses}}
[[File:Prototype circuit.jpg|thumb|A prototype of an electronics project]]
[[File:PrototypeBoiseGreenbeltSignage.jpg|thumb|upright|Prototype signage on the [[Boise Greenbelt]], testing for [[rust]], [[paint]]-fastness, durability, etc.]]

A '''prototype''' is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|url=http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/scic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=SCIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=SCIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CENKDZQ347975681&source=Bookmark&u=dclib_main&jsid=63ed7b4b8ba090d7346c2d926005d307|title=Prototype|date=2015|journal=UXL Encyclopedia of Science|access-date=13 July 2015|edition=3rd|editor-first=A. H.|editor-last=Blackwell|editor2-first=E.|editor2-last=Manar}}</ref> It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including [[semantics]], [[design]], [[electronics]], and [[Software prototyping|software programming]]. A prototype is generally used to evaluate a new design to enhance precision by system analysts and users.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Aviation |first=David W. |last=Wragg |isbn=9780850451634 |edition=first |publisher=Osprey |year=1973 |page=216}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gero|first=John S.|date=1990-12-15|title=Design Prototypes: A Knowledge Representation Schema for Design|url=https://www.aaai.org/ojs/index.php/aimagazine/article/view/854|journal=AI Magazine|volume=11|issue=4|pages=26|issn=0738-4602|url-access=<!--WP:URLACCESS-->}}</ref> Prototyping serves to provide specifications for a real, working system rather than a theoretical one.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prototyping Definition |url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,1233,t=prototyping&i=49886,00.asp |work=PC Magazine |access-date=2012-05-03 |archive-date=2012-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015175645/http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0%2C1233%2Ct%3Dprototyping%26i%3D49886%2C00.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref> Physical prototyping has a long history, and [[paper prototyping]] and [[virtual prototyping]] now extensively complement it. In some design workflow models, creating a prototype (a process sometimes called '''materialization''') is the step between the [[Formal specification|formalization]] and the [[evaluation]] of an idea.<ref name="SoaresRebelo2012">{{cite book|author1=Marcelo M. Soares|author2=Francesco Rebelo|title=Advances in Usability Evaluation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qy_QRu-7dKcC&pg=PA482|date=15 August 2012|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4398-7025-9|page=482}}</ref>

A '''prototype''' can also mean a typical example of something such as in the use of the derivation {{'}}'''prototypical'''{{'}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/prototypical|title=prototypical (adjective) definition and synonyms |website=Macmillan Dictionary |language=en|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> This is a useful term in identifying objects, behaviours and concepts which are considered the accepted norm and is analogous with terms such as [[stereotype]]s and [[archetype]]s.

The word ''[[wikt:prototype|prototype]]'' derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|el|πρωτότυπον|italic=no}} {{transliteration|el|prototypon|italic=yes}}, "primitive form", neutral of {{lang|el|πρωτότυπος|italic=no}} {{transliteration|el|prototypos|italic=yes}}, "original, primitive", from πρῶτος ''protos'', "first" and τύπος ''typos'', "impression" (originally in the sense of a mark left by a blow, then by a stamp struck by a die (note "typewriter"); by implication a scar or mark; by analogy a shape i.e. a statue, (figuratively) style, or resemblance; a model for imitation or illustrative example—note "typical").<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=prototype&allowed_in_frame=0|title=prototype (n.)|website=Online Etymology Dictionary|last=Harper|first=Douglas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Strong's Concordance |url=https://strongsconcordance.org/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=strongsconcordance.org |language=en}}</ref>