Source Code

Source code is the human-readable text that programmers write to create software.

It consists of instructions in a programming language—Python, JavaScript, C++—that must be compiled or interpreted before a computer can execute them.

The company released its source code to the public.

Open-source software makes its source code freely available for inspection and modification; proprietary software keeps it secret.

The term distinguishes the original, editable form from compiled machine code.

compilationGathered works assembled together
debuggingError removal from programs
bug fixCorrection of software flaw
RustMemory-safe systems language
repositoryPlace for storing things

Python · Go · software development · text editor · programming · Kotlin · Java · C++ · algorithm · Git · Ruby · JavaScript · Swift · syntax · PHP · Mercurial · commit · APIs

Opposites

compilation state

Source Codeobject code

Compiled machine-readable program

compiled code · executable · machine code · binary · bytecode

abstraction level

Source Codemachine language

Binary instructions for processors

microcode · firmware · machine code · binary code · ones and zeros

creation vs. output

Source Codeuser interface

Human-computer interaction system

Family

source, code, sources, sourced, sourcing, codes, coded, coding, coder

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G