deprecate
To formally mark a software feature, API endpoint, or method as outdated and scheduled for removal in a future release, discouraging new use while maintaining backward compatibility.
Full Definition
In developer documentation, 'deprecate' is a precise technical verb meaning to flag a feature as obsolete and discourage its further use, typically in advance of its eventual removal. Deprecation notices are a critical editorial responsibility because they carry direct consequences for users who rely on the affected functionality. Editors must distinguish 'deprecate' from 'remove' (immediate elimination) and 'disable' (turning off without removal). The adjective form is 'deprecated', and 'deprecation notice' is the standard term for the accompanying warning. 'Depreciate' (a financial term meaning to decrease in value) is a common malapropism in technical writing that editors must catch.
Usage
Usage note: Never confuse with 'depreciate'. Use 'deprecated' as the adjective (e.g., 'a deprecated method'). Include the target removal version whenever possible in deprecation notices.
In Context
- "The v1 authentication endpoint was deprecated in version 4.2 and will be removed in version 6.0." — API changelog
- "Change 'depreciate' to 'deprecate' — the author has used the financial term in error." — Editorial correction note