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Brownfield

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Also called Existing-code work, legacy-adjacent work

Building new functionality on top of an existing system, especially one with old code, constraints, and established behavior.

What it is

Brownfield development means working in an already-built environment instead of starting from scratch. The code, data, and workflows already exist, so changes have to fit around them carefully.

When you would use it

You use brownfield to describe work in a live, established system rather than a blank-slate project.

Common operations

  • Adding features to legacy systems
  • Modernizing parts of an old product
  • Integrating with existing architecture

Related terms

Where this is taught

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