# Programming language reference

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{{Short description|Documentation for users of a computer programming language}}[[File:Fortran_acs_cover.jpeg|thumb|upright|The ''Fortran Automatic Coding System for the [IBM 704](/source/IBM_704)'' (15 October 1956), the first Programmer's Reference Manual for Fortran]]
In [computing](/source/computing), a '''programming language reference''' or '''language reference manual''' is part of the [documentation](/source/documentation) associated with most mainstream [programming language](/source/programming_language)s. It is written for [user](/source/user_(computing))s and [developer](/source/programmer)s, and describes the basic elements of the language and how to use them in a [program](/source/computer_program). For a command-based language, for example, this will include details of every available command and of the [syntax](/source/syntax_(programming_languages)) for using it.

The reference manual is usually separate and distinct from a more detailed [programming language specification](/source/programming_language_specification) meant for [implementor](/source/Programming_language_implementation)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. Frequently, however, a single publication contains both the introductory material and the language reference.

==External links==
<!-- maybe as examples of manuals these are really references -->
*[http://www.adaic.com/standards/ada05.html Ada 2005 Language Reference Manual] (at adaic.com)
*[https://docs.python.org/3.2/reference/ The Python Language Reference] (at python.org)
*<!--following link and site not reachable as of 6-Aug-2021--> [http://www.network-theory.co.uk/python/language/ The Python Language Reference Manual] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117131741/http://www.network-theory.co.uk/python/language/ |date=2007-01-17 }} by Guido van Rossum and Fred L. Drake, Jr. ({{ISBN|0-9541617-8-5}})  (at network-theory.co.uk)

==References==
<references/>

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Reference

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