# AST or Data Representation

> The requirement that code be represented as a structured syntax tree or data rather than as raw text.

Record: `lexicon:ast-or-data-representation`
Kind: constraint
Layer: [Declarative Core](https://banes-lab.com/records/layer/declarative-core.md)
Canonical: https://banes-lab.com/ontology/lexicon#lexicon-ast-or-data-representation

Listed in [Lexicon terms](https://banes-lab.com/api/records/lexicon.md), after [Opaque Syntax Trees](https://banes-lab.com/records/lexicon/opaque-syntax-trees.md) and before [Program Transformation](https://banes-lab.com/records/lexicon/program-transformation.md).

## Category

- [Metaprogramming / Language-Oriented Architecture](https://banes-lab.com/records/lexicon-category/metaprogramming-language-oriented-architecture.md)

## Required by

- [Code as Data](https://banes-lab.com/records/architecture/code-as-data.md)

## Linked from

- [Metaprogramming / Language-Oriented Architecture](https://banes-lab.com/ontology/principles/architecture-category-metaprogramming-language-oriented-architecture.md)