What does "execute" mean in programming?

execute is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.

Definition

To run a piece of code, script, query, or command. Developers say 'execute' when they want to be precise about code running, as opposed to just calling a function.

Example

"The database driver executes the SQL query and returns a result set."

Word forms

Form	Type	Meaning	Example
execute	verb (infinitive)	To run code or a command	"The server will execute the query and return the results."
executed	past tense	Ran code or a command	"The migration was executed successfully."
executing	gerund	Running code or a command	"Executing multiple queries in parallel improves performance."

Related terms

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