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Code

KOHD /koʊd/

nounverbB1

technicalinformal

(noun) A system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purposes of secrecy or brevity. (In computing) Instructions written in a programming language. (verb) To write computer programs.

In computing, 'code' almost always refers to source code – the human-readable instructions written by programmers. It can also refer to machine code, which is directly executable by a computer.

The story behind the word. The word 'code' comes from the Latin word 'codex,' which originally referred to the trunk of a tree, then to a wooden tablet covered with wax for writing, and eventually to a book or collection of laws. In the 19th century, it gained the meaning of a system of signals for communication, like Morse code. By the mid-20th century, with the advent of computers, 'code' naturally extended to mean the instructions written for a machine.

Word relationships

program: Often refers to the entire set of instructions for a specific task; 'code' can be a smaller fragment.
script: Typically refers to a sequence of commands executed by an interpreter, often for automation.
instructions: A more general term; 'code' implies a specific format for a computer.

Commonly confused with

Data: Code is the instructions; data is the information that the code processes.

Word family

coder (noun): A person who writes computer code; a programmer.
coding (noun): The activity of writing computer code.

Collocations

source code
write code
debug code
clean code
executable code
lines of code

Idioms & expressions

break code (cause an error)
code monkey (derogatory term for a programmer)

Example sentences

"The developer spent hours writing the Python code to automate the data analysis." Referring to programming instructions.
"She learned to code in Java during her first year of university." As a verb, the act of programming.
"Clean and well-documented code is easier to maintain and debug." Discussing the quality of software.

Memory hook

Think of a 'CODE' of conduct for computers: a set of rules they must follow. Computer's Code of Conduct

When not to use

While 'code' can refer to any system of symbols, in a technical computing context, it specifically means programming instructions, not just any secret message.

Fun facts

The first computer program is often attributed to Ada Lovelace, who wrote an algorithm for Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine in the mid-1800s.
There are thousands of different programming languages, each with its own 'code' style and rules.

Related words

Syntax, Debug, Compile, Execute

Explore more words

codify, encryption, script, record, boilerplate, render