Listing (computer)

Extract of a BASIC listing

A listing or program listing is a printed list of lines of computer code or digital data (in human-readable form). In the early days of programming, it was used to hand-check a program and as permanent storage. It was also common in 1980s computer enthusiast magazines. Today, it is seldom used because display screens can present more lines than formerly, programs tend to be modular, storage in soft copy is considered preferable to hard copy, and digital material is easily transmitted via networks, or on disks or tapes. Furthermore, data sets tend to be too large to be conveniently put on paper, and they are more easily searched in soft-copy form. In selected environments, such as classified or other highly secure documentation, listings may still be used for secure transmission or storage. Program listing are simply a list of statements produced by a computer program as a result of compilation (M2 )

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

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