Default (computer science)

A default, in computer science, refers to the preexisting value of a user-configurable setting that is assigned to a software application, computer program or device. Such settings are also called factory settings, or factory presets, especially for electronic devices.

In the Early Computer Age: When programmers or users failed to provide a specific value or setting, the system would revert to a pre-programmed or standard value. This "failure" to explicitly define a choice led to that preset value being called the "default".

Default values are standards values that are universal to all instances of the device or model and intended to make the device as accessible as possible "out of the box" without necessitating a lengthy configuration process prior to use. The user only has to modify the default settings according to their personal preferences. In many devices, the user has the option to restore these default settings for one or all options. Such an assignment makes the choice of that setting or value more likely, this is called the default effect.