Source code

In computing, source code usually refers to the text that computer programmers write when creating and editing computer programs.

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.

Non-text source code

Strictly speaking, source code does not need to be text.

The important quality is that a computer programmer works directly with source code.

This might include non-text source code (example needed).

See also

• Bytecode
• Codebase
• Coding conventions
• Computer program
• Computer programmer
• Computer programming
• Code refactoring
• Computer program
• Interpreter (computing)
• Legacy code
• Machine code
• Obfuscated code
• Object code
• Open-source software
• Package manager
• Programming language
• Readability
• Software
• Software development
• Source code repository
• Syntax highlighting
• Text
• W3C Markup Validation Service
• Unit testing
• Visual programming language

External links

• Source code @ Wikipedia
• Naming convention (programming)