Executable code refers to a set of instructions in a computer program that can be directly executed by the computer's CPU to perform specific tasks. It is typically generated from source code through a process called compilation or interpretation, transforming human-readable instructions into machine-readable binary code.

Executable Code

Executable code

set of instructions

computer program

computer's CPU

specific tasks

Source code is the human-readable set of instructions that a programmer writes, which is then translated into machine code by a compiler or interpreter to be executed by a computer. It serves as the foundational element for software development, allowing for collaboration, modification, and understanding of a program's functionality.

source code

Compilation is the process of translating source code written in a high-level programming language into a lower-level language, such as machine code, so that it can be executed by a computer. This process involves several stages including lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, optimization, and code generation to ensure the program runs efficiently and correctly.

compilation

Interpretation involves the process of explaining or understanding the meaning of something, often influenced by context, perspective, and intention. It plays a crucial role in fields such as literature, law, and science, where subjective and objective analyses are used to derive meaning and implications.

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