What purpose does a throw-away prototype serve?

A throw-away prototype primarily serves the purpose of quickly clarifying requirements. This type of prototype is typically used in the early stages of a project to gather feedback and verify understanding among stakeholders and users. It allows for rapid exploration of ideas and concepts without the burden of maintaining the prototype for long-term use. Once the necessary information is gained or the requirements are clarified, the prototype is discarded, as it was not intended for production but rather for exploration and refinement of requirements.

This approach is advantageous because it encourages iterative feedback, allowing stakeholders to visualize and discuss features and functionalities more effectively, which can lead to a more accurate and refined final product. In other contexts, such as finalizing designs, demonstrating systems, or generating detailed specifications, a throw-away prototype would not be suitable, as it focuses solely on understanding and verifying requirements rather than on producing a finished product.