Programming language reference: Difference between revisions

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In computing, a programming language reference (or language reference manual) is part of the documentation associated with most mainstream programming languages. It describes the basic elements of the language and how to use them in computer programs, and is written for users and developers. For a command-based language, for example, it will among other things explain what every available command does, and give the syntax for its use.

The reference manual is usually separate and distinct from a more detailed programming language specification meant for implementors of the language rather than those who simply use it to accomplish some processing task.

There may also be a separate introductory guide aimed at giving newcomers enough information to start writing programs, after which they can consult the reference manual for full details.

External links

Ada 2005 Language Reference Manual (at adaic.com)
The Python Language Reference (at python.org)
The Python Language Reference Manual ^{[dead link]} by Guido van Rossum and Fred L. Drake, Jr. (ISBN 0-9541617-8-5) (at network-theory.co.uk)

References

This programming-language-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

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 {{Short description|Documentation for programmers}}[[File:Fortran_acs_cover.jpeg|thumb|upright|The ''Fortran Automatic Coding System for the [[IBM 704]]'' (15 October 1956), the first Programmer's Reference Manual for Fortran]]
-In [[computing]], a '''programming language reference''' (or '''language reference manual''') is part of the [[documentation]] associated with most mainstream [[programming language]]s. It describes the basic elements of the language and how to use them in [[computer program]]s, and is written for [[user (computing)|user]]s and [[programmer|developer]]s.
+In [[computing]], a '''programming language reference''' (or '''language reference manual''') is part of the [[documentation]] associated with most mainstream [[programming language]]s. It describes the basic elements<!-- could be misconstrued as meaning just the main ideas --> of the language and how to use them in [[computer program]]s, and is written for [[user (computing)|user]]s and [[programmer|developer]]s. For a command-based language, for example, it will among other things explain what every available command does, and give the [[syntax (programming languages)| syntax]] for its use.
-It is usually separate and distinct from a more detailed [[programming language specification]] meant for [[Programming language implementation|implementor]]s of the language rather than those who simply use it to accomplish some processing task.
+The reference manual is usually separate and distinct from a more detailed [[programming language specification]] meant for [[Programming language implementation|implementor]]s of the language rather than those who simply use it to accomplish some processing task.
+There may also be a separate introductory guide aimed at giving newcomers enough information to start writing programs, after which they can consult the reference manual for full details.
 ==External links==