Definition of the word subroutine

The term "subroutine" in computer programming refers to a self-contained block of code that can be reused multiple times within a larger program. The origins of the word "subroutine" can be traced back to the early days of digital computing, specifically the 1950s. In early computers, programs would execute a sequence of instructions in a linear fashion, which made it challenging to reuse common code snippets. Programmers realized that they could break down larger programs into smaller, reusable sub-programs or "subroutines" that could be called upon when needed, making the overall program more efficient and easier to maintain. The word "subroutine" itself can be broken down as follows: "sub" meaning lower or below, and "routine" meaning a sequence of instructions. Subroutines are called from within the main program, and their execution is considered to be "subordinated" (or "subroutine'd") to that of the main program. In summary, the term "subroutine" represents a crucial programming concept that allows for code reusability, efficiency, and maintainability.