eXecution

Execution is the act of carrying out or performing an action or plan. In everyday language, it refers to completing a prescribed task in accordance with a design or instruction. The term derives from Latin ex- "out" and agere "to drive, do." In law, execution commonly denotes the state-sanctioned killing of a person as punishment for a crime, known as capital punishment.

Capital punishment has been practiced since ancient times. It remains legal in a limited number of jurisdictions, though many countries have abolished it. Methods have included lethal injection, electrocution, gas chamber, hanging, and firing squad; dispositions vary by country and over time. Proponents argue it serves as deterrence and justice; opponents cite risks of wrongful conviction and moral concerns.

In computing, execution refers to the process by which a program runs. The central processing unit executes machine instructions, either directly or through intermediate representations in interpreters or virtual machines. Execution can be single-threaded or concurrent, and it may involve optimization, garbage collection, and memory management.

In project management and business, execution is the stage in which plans are implemented, resources are mobilized, tasks are completed, and progress is monitored against milestones.