ColonTerminated

**Colon-Terminated**

In programming, a colon-terminated statement is a syntax construct used in certain programming languages to mark the end of a statement. Unlike languages that require explicit termination with keywords like `end` or `;` (semicolon), colon-terminated statements rely on the colon symbol (`:`) to denote completion. This style is commonly seen in languages such as Python, Ruby, and some dialects of Perl.

In Python, for example, a colon is used to introduce a block of code, such as in control structures like `if`, `for`, `while`, and function definitions. The colon alone does not terminate the statement but signals the beginning of a block. The block itself is terminated by indentation rather than a colon. This design emphasizes readability by visually grouping related code.

In Ruby, colons are used similarly to introduce blocks, such as in `begin`/`end` blocks or `do`/`end` constructs. The colon marks the start of a block, and the block’s end is indicated by the closing keyword (`end`) rather than a colon.

Some older or niche languages may use colons for other purposes, such as defining constants or separating keys and values in dictionaries, but the colon-terminated statement is most frequently associated with block-based syntax.

This approach helps maintain clean and consistent code formatting, reducing the need for additional termination symbols and improving visual clarity.