directives

Directives are instructions, orders, or guidelines issued by an authority intended to influence actions, decisions, or behavior. They function as normative guidance that can be binding or advisory, depending on the context and the power of the issuing body. The term is used across several domains, including government, organizations, and computing.

In government and public administration, a directive is a formal mandate that requires specific actions or outcomes. In international and regional law, directives often prescribe objectives while leaving the methods to achieve them to national authorities. The European Union, for example, adopts directives that member states must transpose into national law, achieving harmonized results but allowing national discretion in implementation. In other organizations, directives establish policy, procedures, or standards actors are expected to follow.

In computing and software engineering, a directive is a directive that guides the processing of data or code. This includes compiler or preprocessor directives, which affect how source code is compiled or interpreted, and configuration directives that control program behavior. Some development frameworks also employ directive-like constructs to attach behavior to elements or components without changing underlying structure.

Directives are typically issued to address recurring situations, enforce consistency, or ensure compliance with policy goals. They may be legally binding, administratively enforceable, or informational. See also regulation, decree, guideline, and policy.