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In `F33f`_`[computing`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Computing]`_`f, a `!programming language reference`! or `!language reference manual`! is part of the `F33f`_`[documentation`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Documentation]`_`f associated with most mainstream `F33f`_`[programming languages`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Programming_language]`_`f. It is written for `F33f`_`[users`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=User_(computing)]`_`f and `F33f`_`[developers`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Programmer]`_`f, and describes the basic elements of the language and how to use them in a `F33f`_`[program`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Computer_program]`_`f. For a command-based language, for example, this will include details of every available command and of the `F33f`_`[syntax`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Syntax_(programming_languages)]`_`f for using it.

The reference manual is usually separate and distinct from a more detailed `F33f`_`[programming language specification`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Programming_language_specification]`_`f meant for `F33f`_`[implementors`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Programming_language_implementation]`_`f of the language rather than those who simply use it to accomplish some processing task.

There may also be a separate introductory guide aimed at giving newcomers enough information to start writing programs, after which they can consult the reference manual for full details. Frequently, however, a single publication contains both the introductory material and the language reference.

>>Contents

• `F0af`_`[External links`#external-links]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f

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>>External links

• Ada 2005 Language Reference Manual (at adaic.com)

• The Python Language Reference (at python.org)

• The Python Language Reference Manual Archived 2007-01-17 at the `F33f`_`[Wayback Machine`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wayback_Machine]`_`f by Guido van Rossum and Fred L. Drake, Jr. (`F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 0-9541617-8-5) (at network-theory.co.uk)

>>References

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