Listing (computer)

Listings are commonly used in education and computer-related books to show examples of code.

Furthermore, data sets tend to be too large to be conveniently put on paper, and they are more easily searched in soft-copy form.

Assembly-code listings are occasionally analysed by programmers who want to understand how a compiler is translating their source code into assembly language.

They are defined as follows in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure:[2] "A computer program listing for the purpose of this section is defined as a printout that lists in appropriate sequence the instructions, routines, and other contents of a program for a computer.

The program listing may be either in machine or machine-independent (object or source) language which will cause a computer to perform a desired procedure or task such as solve a problem, regulate the flow of work in a computer, or control or monitor events.

Extract of a BASIC listing
Listing of a long computer program from 1970s, printed by a line printer on fan-fold paper and bound in a binder.