"Secure coding" refers to a set of best practices in software development aimed at minimizing vulnerabilities and enhancing the security of applications. It involves writing code that is resilient to attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflow attacks. Developers must incorporate security measures during the design, coding, and testing phases to safeguard user data and maintain system integrity. Adopting secure coding practices not only protects applications but also reduces long-term maintenance costs associated with security breaches.