A prototype is an early version of a product, service, or device built to test a concept or process. It is used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and software programming. Prototyping serves to provide specifications for a real, working system rather than a theoretical one. In some design workflow models, creating a prototype is the step between the formalization and the evaluation of an idea. Prototypes explore different aspects of an intended design and can be of varying degrees of fidelity. They can be anything from paper drawings to a fully functioning site. The benefits of prototyping include allowing designers to refine and validate their designs, catch potentially costly errors early in the development process, and gather feedback from users while still planning and designing the product. There are different types of prototypes, including proof-of-principle prototypes, visual prototypes, functional prototypes, and more. Prototyping is an essential process for developing a new product through the physical representation of an idea.