In Brock’s book “Toward Rhetorical Study of Codes” he talks about software codes as a form of meaningful communication. In the sense that it’s a problem-solving tool. It’s thoughtful and purposeful in it’s response to particular challenges. It addresses real world problems through the means of computers. Even though code is meant for computers, it is used by humans for communication. Brock mentioned that “rhetorical code studies can potentially address multiple kinds and modes of rhetorical activity and interactions between developers and users.” Comments and functions within the codes are used to explain it’s functionality to humans. Codes are also intentional and purposeful. Software developers use code to define how a program functions. The code then communicates the developers intentions clearly to the computer.
Digital Rhetoric and Codes
Rhetoric is a persuasive communication that aligns with software codes. They are instructions crafted in programming language, that serves as the way computer and software applications perform a task. The connection between rhetoric and code is evident in digital rhetoric as both are instructions in the digital world.
Software developers design codes to achieve desired outcomes, establishing a communication between computers and humans. Both rhetoric and and software code prioritize rhetorical principles, clarity and precision. Just as rhetoric emphasizes the significance of language, language, software code must maintain clarity and precision for effective digital communication. Code therefore acts as a bridge between human intentions and the execution of the task required by the computer, which in turns make code a powerful form of digital rhetoric.
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