Despite the importance of programming to modern society, the cognitive and neural bases of code comprehension are largely unknown. Programming languages might 'recycle' neurocognitive mechanisms originally used for natural languages. Alternatively, comprehension of code could depend on fronto-parietal networks shared with other culturally derived symbol systems, such as formal logic and math. Expert programmers (average 11 years of programming experience) performed code comprehension and memory control tasks while undergoing fMRI. The same participants also performed language, math, formal logic, and executive control localizer tasks. A left-lateralized fronto-parietal network was recruited for code comprehension. Patterns of activity within this network distinguish between "for" loops and "if" conditional code functions. Code comprehension overlapped extensively with neural basis of formal logic and to a lesser degree math. Overlap with simpler executive processes and language was low, but laterality of language and code covaried across individuals. Cultural symbol systems, including code, depend on a distinctive fronto-parietal cortical network.

中文翻译：

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计算机代码理解在额顶网络中与形式逻辑推理共享神经资​​源

尽管编程对现代社会很重要，但是代码理解的认知和神经基础在很大程度上仍然未知。编程语言可能会“回收”最初用于自然语言的神经认知机制。另外，对代码的理解可能取决于与其他文化衍生符号系统（例如形式逻辑和数学）共享的额顶网络。专业的程序员（平均11年的编程经验）在进行fMRI时执行了代码理解和内存控制任务。相同的参与者还执行语言，数学，形式逻辑和执行控制本地化器任务。招募了一个左侧的额顶网络来进行代码理解。该网络内的活动模式区分“ for”循环和“ if” 条件代码功能。代码理解与形式逻辑的神经基础和较小程度的数学广泛重叠。较简单的执行流程和语言的重叠率很低，但是语言和代码的偏向性在各个人之间是协变的。文化符号系统（包括代码）依赖于独特的额顶皮层网络。