What is a Software Prototype in the Context of a Hackathon?

A software prototype is a basic working version of a product created during a hackathon. Hackathons are events where teams of developers come together to build a software application in a limited amount of time. A software prototype is created in this context to quickly demonstrate an idea and its potential before progressing to the development of a full-featured product. A software prototype can be created using a variety of tools and technologies, including web development, mobile development, and game development. The goal of a software prototype is to show the potential of an idea in a short amount of time and to inspire further development.