A programming language reference (or language reference manual) is an artifact that describes a programming language

Programming language

A programming language is an artificial language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine and/or to express algorithms precisely....

 so that user

User (computing)

A user is an agent, either a human agent or software agent, who uses a computer or network service. A user often has a user account and is identified by a username , screen name , nickname , or handle, which is derived from the identical Citizen's Band radio term.Users are...

s and developer

Programmer

A programmer, computer programmer or coder is someone who writes computer software. The term computer programmer can refer to a specialist in one area of computer programming or to a generalist who writes code for many kinds of software. One who practices or professes a formal approach to...

s can understand the basic elements of and write computer program

Computer program

A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...

s in the target language.

A programming language reference manual is one form of documentation

Documentation

Documentation is a term used in several different ways. Generally, documentation refers to the process of providing evidence.Modules of Documentation are Helpful...

 that is associated with most mainstream programming languages. A reference manual is ordinarily separate and distinct from a programming language specification

Programming language specification

In computing, a programming language specification is an artifact that defines a programming language so that users and implementors can agree on what programs in that language mean....

, which is usually more detailed and intended for use by implementor

Programming language implementation

A programming language implementation is a system for executing programs written in a programming language.There are two general approaches to programming language implementation:...

s of the language itself, rather than those who simply use the language to accomplish some processing task.

External links

• Ada 2005 Language Reference Manual
• The Python Language Reference Manual by Guido van Rossum and Fred L. Drake, Jr. (ISBN 0-9541617-8-5)