Preprocessor: meaning, definitions and examples

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preprocessor

[ priːˈprɒsɛsər ]

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computer programming

A software program that processes input data to prepare it for use by an application program or to improve the quality of the input data. Preprocessors are commonly used in web development to transform and optimize code before it is compiled.

Synonyms

optimizer, processor, transformer

Examples of usage

A common use of a preprocessor in web development is to handle CSS files and preprocess them to include variables and mixins.
Preprocessors can also be used to minify JavaScript code for better performance.
Another example is using a preprocessor to add vendor prefixes to CSS properties for cross-browser compatibility.

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linguistics

A linguistic element or rule that changes the structure of an input according to a specific set of rules before it is used in further linguistic analysis. Preprocessors are often used in natural language processing to standardize and preprocess text data.

Synonyms

modifier, transformer

Examples of usage

In natural language processing, a preprocessor may be used to convert text to lowercase for consistency.
Another use case for a preprocessor in linguistics is to remove stop words from a text before performing sentiment analysis.

Translations

Translations of the word "preprocessor" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pré-processador

🇮🇳 प्रीप्रोसेसर

🇩🇪 Präprozessor

🇮🇩 pra-prosesor

🇺🇦 препроцесор

🇵🇱 przetwarzacz wstępny

🇯🇵 プリプロセッサ

🇫🇷 préprocesseur

🇪🇸 preprocesador

🇹🇷 ön işlemci

🇰🇷 전처리기

🇸🇦 معالج مسبق

🇨🇿 předzpracovatel

🇸🇰 predprocesor

🇨🇳 预处理器

🇸🇮 predprocesor

🇮🇸 forsnyrting

🇰🇿 алдын ала өңдеуші

🇬🇪 წინასწარი დამუშავების პროგრამა

🇦🇿 ön işləyici

🇲🇽 preprocesador

Word origin

The term 'preprocessor' originated in the field of computer programming in the mid-20th century. It was initially used to refer to a program that processed source code before compilation. Over time, the concept of preprocessing expanded to other fields such as linguistics and data analysis. Today, preprocessors play a crucial role in optimizing, transforming, and standardizing data for various applications.