Definition
A README is a plain‑text document that accompanies software, source code, or other digital projects, providing essential information about the content, purpose, installation, usage, licensing, and other relevant details to users and developers.
Overview
README files are conventionally placed in the root directory of a project repository and are among the first files examined by anyone accessing the project. While the exact format can vary, the file typically contains sections such as an introduction, prerequisites, installation instructions, usage examples, contribution guidelines, and contact information. The ubiquity of README files across open‑source and commercial software projects makes them a fundamental component of software documentation practices.
Etymology / Origin
The term “README” originates from the imperative phrase “read me,” historically used on computer storage media (e.g., floppy disks, magnetic tapes) to signal that the file contained important information that should be read before proceeding. The practice dates back to early computing environments of the 1970s and 1980s, when developers would include a simple text file named README to explain the purpose and operation of a program.
Characteristics
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| File name | Typically README, README.txt, or README.md (the latter indicates Markdown formatting). |
| Format | Plain text (.txt) or lightweight markup languages such as Markdown (.md) or reStructuredText (.rst). |
| Location | Usually located in the top‑level directory of a project repository. |
| Content sections | Common sections include: • Title / Project name • Description • Installation / Build instructions • Usage examples • Configuration • Contributing guidelines • License • Contact / Support |
| Visibility | Rendered automatically by many hosting platforms (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) on the project’s main page, making it the primary entry point for documentation. |
| Version control | Stored alongside source code in version‑control systems (e.g., Git), allowing it to evolve with the project. |
| Internationalization | Projects may provide translated versions (e.g., README.es.md for Spanish) to reach a broader audience. |
Related Topics
- Software Documentation – broader set of documents (user manuals, API references, changelogs) that complement the README.
- Changelog – a file that records a chronological list of notable changes for each version of a project.
- License File – a separate file (
LICENSE,COPYING) that specifies the legal terms under which the software is distributed. - CONTRIBUTING – a guideline file that outlines how others may contribute to the project.
- Markdown – a lightweight markup language commonly used to format README files for readability on web platforms.
- GitHub README Rendering – the automatic conversion of Markdown README files into HTML for display on repository pages.
The README remains a widely adopted convention in software development, serving as a concise, accessible source of essential project information.