# `<coderef>`

The `<coderef>` element references an external file that contains literal code. When evaluated, the `<coderef>` element should cause the target code to be displayed inline. If the target contains non-XML characters such as '<' or '&', those will need to be handled in a way that they may be displayed correctly by the final rendering engine. This element is part of the DITA programming domain, a special set of DITA elements designed to document programming tasks, concepts, and reference information.

Category: Programming elements