Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Brackets are symbols used in programming to enclose and group together elements, such as variables or expressions, within a statement. They are typically represented by the characters "[" and "]".
Related terms
Parentheses: Parentheses are another type of grouping symbol used in programming. They are represented by the characters "(" and ")" and serve similar purposes as brackets.
Curly Braces: Curly braces, also known as curly brackets, are another type of grouping symbol used in programming. They are represented by the characters "{" and "}" and are commonly used for defining blocks of code.
Square Brackets: Square brackets, which we refer to simply as "brackets," are specifically used for indexing or accessing elements within arrays or lists in many programming languages.