Codes: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when discussing a system of rules and standards, often in the context of communication, programming, or ethics.

• They cracked the secret code to decipher the message
• The software code needs debugging

Used in contexts involving secretive communication, particularly in cryptography. Often implies an encrypted or coded message.

• During World War II, many nations used ciphers to send confidential information
• The agents communicated using a complex cipher

Used when referring to a mark, sign, or object that represents an idea, function, or process. Commonly used in mathematics, literature, and everyday life.

• The heart symbol universally represents love
• In mathematics, the symbol '+' denotes addition

Used when referring to a gesture, sound, or action that conveys information or a command. Often seen in contexts involving communication and technology.

• The traffic light signals when to stop and go
• They sent a distress signal to the nearby ship

Frequently used to refer to a system of principles or rules, especially in technical fields like programming or ethics.

• The codes of conduct for our organization are very strict.
• She is learning how to write codes in Python.

Formal rules established by a governing authority and enforceable by the judicial system. Often used in legal or governmental contexts.

• There are strict laws against pollution.
• He studied criminal laws in university.

Rules or directives made and maintained by an authority, often used in administrative or organizational contexts.

• New health regulations were introduced last year.
• Companies must follow safety regulations at all times.

Guidelines or principles that dictate behavior, often used in everyday contexts, sports, games, and general settings.

• The rules of the game are simple to understand.
• You must follow the rules set by the school.

Used to refer to written instructions in a programming language or a set of rules and principles in various fields.

• She writes codes for a living as a software engineer.
• The safety codes must be strictly followed during construction.

Often used to refer to creating software or a sequence of operations for a computer to perform tasks.

• She knows how to program in multiple languages, including Python and Java.
• The team worked hard to program the new application.

Typically used in a broader sense to mean creating, growing, or improving something, not limited to programming.

• The company aims to develop a new smartphone model this year.
• He wants to develop his skills in graphic design.

A short code written to automate tasks or execute a sequence of commands, usually simpler than a full program.

• He wrote a script to automate the data entry process.
• The startup uses a script to manage their daily backups.