Clipper is a computer programming language

Programming language

A programming language is an artificial language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine and/or to express algorithms precisely....

 that is used to create software program

Computer program

A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...

s that originally operated primarily under DOS

DOS

DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...

. Although it is a powerful general-purpose programming language, it was primarily used to create database

Database

A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...

/business programs.
Clipper was originally created in 1985 as a compiler

Compiler

A compiler is a computer program that transforms source code written in a programming language into another computer language...

 for dBASE

DBASE

dBase II was the first widely used database management system for microcomputers. It was originally published by Ashton-Tate for CP/M, and later on ported to the Apple II and IBM PC under DOS...

 III, a very popular database language at the time. Compiling dBASE code changes it from interpreted code, which must be interpreted

Interpreter (computing)

In computer science, an interpreter normally means a computer program that executes, i.e. performs, instructions written in a programming language...

 every time each line of code is executed, to p-code

P-Code machine

In computer programming, a p-code machine, or portable code machine is a virtual machine designed to execute p-code...

, which uses a Virtual Machine

Virtual machine

A virtual machine is a "completely isolated guest operating system installation within a normal host operating system". Modern virtual machines are implemented with either software emulation or hardware virtualization or both together.-VM Definitions:A virtual machine is a software...

 to process the compiled p-code.