In computer
programming languages keyword is one of a fixed set of symbols built into the syntax of the language. Typical keywords would be
if,
then,
else,
print,
goto,
while,
switch. There are usually restrictions about reusing keywords as names for user-defined objects such as
variables or
procedures. Languages vary as to what is provided as a keyword and what is a
library routine[?], for example some languages provide keywords for
input/output operations whereas in others these are library routines.
A
keyword can also be one from a small set of words designed to convey the subject of a technical article. Some publications specify a fixed set of keywords from which those for a particular article should be chosen.
Keywords are a popular feature of the
ISP America Online.
This article (or an earlier version of it) contains material from FOLDOC, used with permission.