A prompt in programming refers to a message or symbol that indicates to the user that the system is ready to receive input. It’s commonly seen in command-line interfaces, where the prompt appears as a string of characters, often followed by a cursor.
For example, in a terminal window, you might see a prompt like $ or >, signaling that you can type a command. The prompt can also provide additional context, such as the current directory or the user name.
In interactive programming environments, prompts can be used to request specific information from the user, enabling the program to function based on that input. Understanding prompts is crucial for effectively interacting with command-line tools and developing user interfaces that require user input.