"Yeoman" has multiple meanings depending on the context:
- In software development, Yeoman is an open-source client-side scaffolding tool for web applications. It is a command-line interface tool written for Node.js that helps developers quickly generate project templates, manage dependencies, run tests, provide local development servers, and optimize production code. It streamlines many steps involved in building web apps by offering pre-configured templates and tasks.
- Historically, in medieval and early modern England, a yeoman was a member of a social class ranking between peasants and the landed gentry. Yeomen typically owned and cultivated their own land, were free, and often occupied roles as skilled farmers or middle ranks of servants in noble households. Yeomen also appear in roles such as archers in the English army or as attendants in royal households.
- In military/naval contexts, a yeoman is a petty officer in navies (e.g., U.S. Navy) who performs clerical and administrative duties. In Britain, the yeoman of the guard refers to royal bodyguards historically and ceremonially.
Summary Table:
Context| Meaning
---|---
Software| Open-source scaffolding tool for web apps that speeds up project
setup
Historical/Medieval| Free landholder who cultivates own land, social class
between peasantry and gentry
Military/Naval| Petty officer with clerical duties; royal bodyguard (UK)
Each meaning shares the concept of support or service in some form but applies in very different domains.
