Meaning & use
subroutine
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablecomputing
A named set of instructions inside a program that does one job and can be used again from many places.
Grammar: A countable noun: call a subroutine.
Patterns
- call a subroutine
- write a subroutine for something
The program calls a subroutine to sort the list.
She wrote a subroutine that checks the password length.
Changing the subroutine fixed the bug everywhere.
Word forms
| plural | subroutines |
|---|
Common combinations
- call a subroutine
- The main code calls a subroutine to print the report.
- write a subroutine
- He wrote a subroutine to format dates.
- nested subroutine
- A nested subroutine runs inside another one.
- reusable subroutine
- A reusable subroutine saves time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- function
- Function is the common modern term and often implies returning a value, unlike a plain subroutine.
- procedure
- Procedure is used in some languages for a subroutine that returns no value.
- method
- Method is a subroutine attached to an object in object-oriented programming.
Opposites
Word family
- routine noun
- a set of instructions or a regular procedure
- subprogram noun
- a smaller program within a larger one
- subroutines noun
- more than one such block
Commonly confused: subroutine or subroutine vs routine?
subroutine vs subroutine vs routine
A routine in programming can be any set of instructions, while a subroutine specifically sits within and is called by a larger program.
Practice
A programmer puts the code that calculates tax into a ___ so it can be reused.
Choose one answer.
A subroutine is a reusable block of code called from elsewhere. A variable stores data, and a comment is just a note.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “subroutine”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.