Definitions for "Prototypes"
The prototype is a software object that represents a generic object within the game world. To save response time and storage space these objects are held in memory and only the differences for a specific item are recorded.
"A way of defining categories around exemplar representatives (e.g., a robin may be a prototype for the category bird)."
Or see Rapid Prototyping.
An early, pre-market, model of a product which is being developed. Small numbers of prototypes of new products are often constructed to aid the process of testing the performance and consumer acceptability of the product prior to deciding whether or not to engage in full-scale commercial production and marketing of the product.
Prototype manufacturers, industrial prototypes, metal stampings and rapid prototyping services.
Smaller versions of the system that can be validated quickly by the user without construction of an entire system.