The word toggle means “to switch between two states or options.” It is used often in technology, computing and programming to provide a way for users to change settings or modes.

For example, a video chat app might offer users the ability to toggle between screen sharing or single-person mode. This enables the user to adapt to the best fit for their situation or preference. It can also allow them to use the application more effectively based on the environment or type of interaction.

In software development, a toggle (also known as a feature flag) is a way to support rapid iteration of a program. The toggle can be activated or deactivated to determine what behavior is active and which code path to take.

Typically, feature toggles are simple Boolean variables with a specific state. Upon activation, the toggle’s state is set to true and when deactivated, the toggle’s state is switched to false. This allows developers to quickly test new features without having to rewrite the entire application.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when using toggles is that they should be easy to understand right away. This is particularly important when using them to update preferences, settings or other types of information. Providing direct labels, following standard visual design and using a standardized markup are all ways to improve accessibility of toggles. In addition, avoiding confusing cues like a more pronounced color as the inactive option can make it difficult for users to immediately comprehend what is happening with the toggle.

Another thing to consider is the length of time a feature toggle stays in place. While it is common to have release toggles in place for a week or two, they should be short-lived, as they are transitionary by nature. It’s important to manage the lifecycle of feature toggles so they don’t hang around in the code for too long, and a process should be put in place for pruning them as soon as their time is up.

Using static files to modify toggle configuration can become cumbersome at scale. In order to reduce friction, it is generally recommended that teams move their toggle configuration into some type of centralized store, usually an existing application DB or admin UI. This can help to reduce the need for teams to manually track and compare toggle configurations across releases, ensuring consistency in the overall application.

It’s also a good idea to have some form of auditing in place to ensure that all toggles are removed from the production environment as soon as they’ve run their course. This can be as simple as adding a task to the team’s backlog or building the process into their management platform. The longer a toggle remains in place, the more it can impact performance and negatively affect user experience. This can also introduce bugs or security risks into the system. Managing the lifecycle of toggles will greatly reduce these risks.