README

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A readme (or read me) file contains information about other files in a directory or archive and is very commonly distributed with computer software. Such a file is usually a text file called README.TXT, README.1ST, READ.ME, or simply README, although some Microsoft Windows software may include a README.WRI, README.RTF, or README.DOC. The name is chosen such that even if one were not aware that there might typically be a readme file, they would be drawn to read it because of the name. It is in upper case so that on case-preserving environments using an ASCIIbetical ordering, the name will appear near the beginning of a directory listing (since upper-case letters sort before lower-case letters in ASCIIbetical ordering).

The contents typically include one or more of the following:

configuration instructions
installation instructions
operating instructions
a file manifest
copyright and licensing information
contact information for the distributor or programmer
known bugs
troubleshooting
credits and acknowledgments
a changelog

The expression "readme file" is also sometimes used descriptively and generically, whereby the files are not named "readme", but are considered types of readme files. The source code distributions of many free software packages, especially those following the Gnits Standards or those produced with GNU Autotools, usually include a standard set of readme files:

`README`	General information
`AUTHORS`	Credits
`THANKS`	Acknowledgments
`ChangeLog`	A detailed changelog, intended for programmers
`NEWS`	A basic changelog, intended for users
`INSTALL`	Installation instructions
`COPYING`	Copyright and licensing information
`BUGS`	Known bugs and instructions on reporting new ones

Other files commonly distributed with software include a FAQ and a TODO file listing possible future changes.

[edit] Other uses

'readme' is the name of a software art festival (Aarhus 2004, Helsinki 2003, Moscow 2002) created by Alexei Shulgin and Olga Goriunova, among others.
"Readme" is the name of Michael Kinsley's column in the magazine Slate. [1]
'readme' is the name of a student-produced weekly humor publication at Carnegie Mellon University. [2]