meta-code

noun

UK /ˈmɛtə kəʊd/

US /ˈmɛtə koʊd/

Code that tells other code what to do.

The program used meta-code to build a small game by itself.

SYNONYMS

code generator template code framework code scaffolding code

RELATED WORDS

metaprogramming source code compiler macro abstraction

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A set of rules or conventions that describes how other codes or systems should be written.

The team agreed on a meta-code for naming all their files.

3. Hidden or underlying meaning behind a message or set of symbols.

The detective looked for the meta-code in the letters the spy sent.

4. In computing, instructions that operate on other instructions rather than on data.

The meta-code rewrote the loop so it ran faster.