Source code is a human readable collection of computing instructions. In most cases, this means a text file that is written by a programmer according to the syntax and semantic rules of a programming language. Computing hardware doesn't understand source code. Source files are compiled into a machine language at or before runtime.
A human readable collection of computing instructions.
Value
Source code allows programmers to work in a high level language that hides the complexity of hardware. It is common for a single line of source code to translate to thousands of machine instructions. As such, it would be impossibly slow for programmers to produce large modern applications in machine language.Source code is often portable meaning that it can be run on a variety of machine languages.
Cookies help us deliver our services. You have choices regarding these cookies. Please visit our privacy policy, cookie policy and consent tool to learn more.
Copyright 2002-2026 Simplicable. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or translated. Report violations here.
