: "Copy-paste friendly" snippets that show the code in action.

Before graphical interfaces dominated, these files were the only way to tell a user what a program did or how to compile it. On Unix systems, naming the file in all caps ensured it appeared at the very top of a directory listing, making it impossible to miss. 2. Universal Compatibility

: What is this, and why does it exist? Installation Instructions : How do I get this running?

In the world of high-speed fiber internet and sleek, one-click installers, it’s easy to overlook a humble little file sitting at the root of your latest download. It’s usually all-caps, plain as day, and seemingly a relic of a bygone era. It’s the .