Source code

In computing, source code is any collection of computer instructions (often with comments) written using some human-readable programming language, usually as text.

(TO DO: expand, organize, cross-reference, illustrate.)

Description

The source code of a program is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers, who specify the actions to be performed by a computer mostly by writing source code.

Compiler

The source code is often transformed by a compiler program into low-level machine code understood by the computer. The machine code might then be stored for execution at a later time.

Interpreter

Alternatively, an interpreter can be used to analyze and perform the outcomes of the source code program directly on the fly.

See also

• Codebase
• Computer program
• Computer programmer
• Computer programming
• Code refactoring
• Computer program
• Interpreter (computing)
• Readability
• Software
• Software development
• W3C Markup Validation Service

External links

• Source code @ Wikipedia
• Naming convention (programming)