# Codework

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codework
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{{Short description|Creative writing that includes computer code}}
'''Codework''' is "a type of creative writing which in some way references or incorporates formal computer languages ([C++](/source/C%2B%2B), [Perl](/source/Perl), etc.) within the text. The text itself is not necessarily code that will compile or run, though some have added that requirement as a form of constraint."<ref>{{cite web |title=Electronic Literature Collection, Vol 1: Keywords |url=https://collection.eliterature.org/1/aux/keywords.html |website=collection.eliterature.org |publisher=Electronic Literature Organization |accessdate=28 October 2020}}</ref> The concept of and term 'codework' was originally developed by [Alan Sondheim](/source/Alan_Sondheim),<ref>Sondheim, A (2001). "Codework," ''American Book Review'', Vol 22, Issue 6.</ref> but is also practiced by and used to refer to the work of other Internet artists such as [Mez Breeze](/source/Mez_Breeze), [Talan Memmott](/source/Talan_Memmott) (especially in the work ''[Lexia to Perplexia](/source/Lexia_to_Perplexia)''), Ted Warnell, Brian Lennon, and [John Cayley](/source/John_Cayley).<ref name="ref1">{{cite web |last1=Raley |first1=Rita |title=Interferences: [Net.Writing] and the Practice of Codework |url=https://electronicbookreview.com/essay/interferences-net-writing-and-the-practice-of-codework/ |website=Electronic Book Review |accessdate=28 October 2020 |date=2002}}</ref> Scholar [Rita Raley](/source/Rita_Raley) uses the term "[net.writing]," which she defines as "the use of the contemporary idiolect of the computer and computing processes in digital media experimental writing." Raley sees codework as part of a broader practice exploring "the art of code."<ref name="ref1" />

Codework has been used for many forms of writing, mostly [poetry](/source/poetry) and [fiction](/source/fiction). Duc Thuan's  [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929010700/http://www.ducthuan.com/JavaMoon/moon.htm ''Days of JavaMoon''] is an example of fiction in the codework style (in this case, using [JavaScript](/source/JavaScript) syntax).<ref>{{cite web |title=Days of JavaMoon entry  |url=https://directory.eliterature.org/individual-work/617 |website=Electronic Literature Directory |accessdate=29 October 2020 |date=8 December 2010}}</ref> For example:
<pre>
   // Feeling.
   if (ashamed++ == losing self-esteem.S_____ wasn't on diet) [re]solution =
   would stop eating lunch next time;

   // Result.
   after all = S_____ couldn't resist to eat when see[sniff]ing food
   ("ate();", felt defeated & self-disgusted x 1000);
}
</pre>

A variety of examples of codework can be found in the Electronic Literature Collections published by the [Electronic Literature Organization](/source/Electronic_Literature_Organization), such as [Alan Sondheim](/source/Alan_Sondheim)'s online performance ''Internet Text'' (1994-), [Giselle Beiguelman](/source/Giselle_Beiguelman)'s ''Code Movie 1'' (2004), Dan Shiovitz's [interactive fiction](/source/interactive_fiction) ''Bad Machine'' (1999) (Volume 1), [Mez Breeze](/source/Mez_Breeze)'s "netwurk repository" of "_mezangelles_," ''_cross.ova.ing ][4rm.blog.2.log][_'' (2003-), Bjørn Magnhildøen's live writing performance/text movie, ''PlainTextPerformance'' (2010), Ted Warnell's ''new media network'' (1994-), and [Nick Montfort](/source/Nick_Montfort)'s [Perl](/source/Perl) poetry generator ''ppg256-1'' (2008) (Volume 2).

==See also==
* [Code poetry](/source/Code_poetry)

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [https://collection.eliterature.org/ Electronic Literature Collection]

Category:Internet art
Category:Genres of electronic literature
Category:Concepts in electronic literature

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Codework](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codework) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codework?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.