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Standard library

TLDR: A standard library is a collection of pre-written code that comes with a programming language. It includes useful tools and functions that programmers can use to build their software.

A standard library is like a toolbox that comes with a programming language. It contains a bunch of pre-written code that programmers can use to make their lives easier. Instead of starting from scratch every time they want to do something, they can just grab a tool from the standard library and use it in their code.

The standard library includes things like algorithms (which are step-by-step instructions for solving a problem), data structures (which are ways of organizing and storing data), and functions for input and output (which allow the program to interact with the user or the computer).

Different programming languages have different standard libraries, but they all serve the same purpose: to provide a set of tools that programmers can use to build their software. Some languages have a small standard library that only includes the most essential tools, while others have a larger library with a wide range of tools for different purposes.

For example, in the C programming language, the standard library includes functions for working with strings, manipulating files, and performing mathematical calculations. In Python, the standard library includes modules for working with dates and times, handling network connections, and parsing XML files.

Programmers can also create their own libraries, which are collections of code that they write themselves or that they find online. These libraries can be shared with other programmers, who can then use them in their own projects.

In summary, a standard library is a collection of pre-written code that comes with a programming language. It provides programmers with a set of tools and functions that they can use to build their software. Different languages have different standard libraries, but they all serve the same purpose of making programming easier and more efficient.