When a programming language is originally designed without any syntax to nest function calls, pipeline programming is a simple syntax change to add it. The programmer connects notional program modules into a flow structure, by analogy to a physical pipeline carrying reaction products through a chemical or other plant. The best-known example is the UNIX pipe system, but many high level software design tools (such as the openDX display suite) provide a GUI pipeline programming tool that helps visualize data flow through the program. A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) maps well to pipeline programming. Note that exception handling can be one of the weak points^{[clarification needed]}.

Examples

• Windows PowerShell
• Hartmann pipeline
• Bash

See also

• Pipeline (software)
• Hartmann pipeline
• Function composition
• Architecture description language
• Scripting language