pragma

Meanings

1. A compiler directive; data embedded in source code by programmers to indicate some intention to a compiler.
2. In early versions of HTTP, a general header that specifies some implementation-specific directive, to any recipient, and may specify that the HTTP response should not be cached.
3. A practical thing or action, as opposed to theory or belief (dogma).

Etymology

From Ancient Greek πρᾶγμα (prâgma, “a thing done, a fact”). In the technical senses perhaps a back-formation from pragmatic or a clipping of pragmat used earlier in ALGOL.