code

n 1: a set of rules or principles or laws especially written ones

[syn: {codification}]

2: a coding system used for transmitting messages requiring

brevity or secrecy

3: (computer science) the symbolic arrangement of data or

instructions in a computer program or the set of such

instructions [syn: {computer code}]

v 1: attach a code to; "Code the pieces with numbers so that you

can identify them later"

2: convert ordinary language into code; "We should encode the

message for security reasons" [syn: {encode}, {encipher},

{cipher}, {cypher}, {encrypt}, {inscribe}, {write in code}]

[ant: {decode}]

code

Instructions for a computer in some programming

language, often {machine language}. The word "code" is often

used to distinguish instructions from {data} (e.g. "The code

is marked 'read-only'") whereas "{software}" is used in

contrast with "{hardware}" and may consist of more than just

code.

(2000-04-08)