Source Code

Source Code

A collection of computer instructions written in alphanumeric text, using a human-readable computer language such as Ruby on Rails, Java or Python. The source code for a Software program describes specific actions to be performed by a computer or other device. Source code files are translated by a special-purpose software program, such as a compiler or assembler, into object code that can be processed directly by the computer or other device.

In order to prevent users from duplicating or making modifications to software programs, most software is distributed in the form of compiled object code without the source code.

    • Related Articles

    • Object Code

      A form of computer Software consisting of numerically coded instructions that can be processed directly by a computer or other device to control its operation. Object code is translated (using a special-purpose software program such as a compiler or ...

    • Code

      The action of coding is to write programming statements, or in other words, write the source code for a program. In communications as well as information processing, code is a system of rules that converts information into another form, which is ...

    • Binary Code

      Binary code is the most basic form of programming data that a computer can directly comprehend. It is made up of a series of 0s and 1s that is organized and structured so that it can be received and processed as part of a bigger computer application. ...

    • Software

      Coded instructions that control the operation of a computer or similar electronic device. Software generally exists in one of two forms: Source code. Alphanumeric instructions as originally written by a programmer in any of numerous programming ...

    • Disruptive Technology

      New technology that surprisingly displaces an already established one.