What does DRY stand for in programming?

In programming, DRY stands for "Don't Repeat Yourself." This principle emphasizes the importance of reducing repetition of software patterns and code. By adhering to the DRY principle, developers aim to improve code maintainability and reduce redundancy. When code is duplicated, it can lead to increased difficulty in managing changes or updates; modifying a value in one place might require changes in multiple locations.

Utilizing the DRY principle encourages developers to create reusable components or functions, thereby streamlining the codebase and making it cleaner and more efficient. This not only saves time during development but also helps in ensuring that bugs are easier to fix since any adjustment needs to be made in just one location rather than in several duplicate instances. The other options provided do not reflect established programming principles or practices relevant to software development, making them less applicable in this context.