syntax
- 01 C1 Advanced
the specific rules for how a computer program must be written so the computer can understand it.
the formal rules governing the arrangement of symbols and commands in a programming language.
Simple“The program failed to run because of a small error in the syntax.”
In context“Even a single missing semicolon can result in a syntax error that prevents the entire script from compiling correctly.”
Synonymsformatcoding rules - 02 C2 Proficiency
the study of how sentences are built in different languages.
the scientific study of the rules and categories that allow for the formation of phrases and sentences.
Simple“In my linguistics class, we spent the whole term studying syntax.”
In context“Generative syntax explores the hypothesis that the human capacity for language is governed by an innate set of structural principles.”
Synonyms
Partly from Late Latin syntaxis and partly from its etymon, Ancient Greek σύνταξις (súntaxis), from σύν (sún, “together”) + τάξις (táxis, “arrangement”), from τάσσω (tássō, “I arrange”). Doublet of syntaxis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.