DTO
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Programming
| Stands for | Data transfer object |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
DTO stands for Data transfer object, a programming abbreviation.
A simple object that carries data between layers or across a network boundary, with fields but little or no behavior. APIs use DTOs to control exactly which data is sent instead of exposing internal database entities.
Example: Map the User entity to a UserDTO so the password hash never reaches the API response.
Usage notes
Described by Martin Fowler in "Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture" (2002) as a way to reduce the number of remote calls. Common in Java, C# and TypeScript back ends. Records and data classes in modern languages make them quicker to write.
Related abbreviations
More programming abbreviations
- DFS – Depth-first search
- DI – Dependency injection
- DP – Dynamic programming
- DRY – Don't repeat yourself
- DSA – Data structures and algorithms
- DSL – Domain-specific language
- DX – Developer experience
- E2E – End-to-end (testing)
- EDA – Event-driven architecture
- EOF – End of file
- EOL – End of line
- ESB – Enterprise service bus