from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
generic programming
<programming> A programming technique which aims to make
programs more adaptable by making them more general. Generic
programs often embody non-traditional kinds of {polymorphism};
ordinary programs are obtained from them by suitably
instantiating their parameters. In contrast with normal
programs, the parameters of a generic programs are often quite
rich in structure. For example they may be other programs,
{types} or {type constructors} or even programming
{paradigms}.
(1997-11-22)