What is the Difference Between Source Code and Object Code?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between source code and object code lies in their representation and how they are executed by a computer:
- Source Code:
- Written by a programmer using a text editor or a visual programming tool.
- Composed of high-level programming language statements, such as Java, C++, or Python.
- Easier to read, edit, and debug.
- Contains human-readable comments for better understanding.
- Not directly executable by a machine.
- Object Code:
- Generated by a compiler or other translator.
- Composed of low-level code, such as assembly or machine language.
- More secure and efficient for execution.
- In binary format, not human-understandable.
- Executable by a machine.
In summary, source code is the original, human-readable code written by a programmer, while object code is the compiled version of the source code, which is in a lower-level format and executable by a machine.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Source Code and Object Code? Comparative Table: Source Code vs Object Code
Comparative Table: Source Code vs Object Code
Here is a table comparing the differences between source code and object code:
Feature | Source Code | Object Code |
---|---|---|
Definition | Source code refers to the raw, human-readable code written by programmers when creating a software program. | Object code refers to the output of the source code after going through a compiler, which is an intermediary between source code and machine code. |
Code Type | High-level code (e.g., Java, C++, Python). | Low-level code (e.g., machine code). |
Format | Written in plain text. | Translated code, in binary format. |
Generation | Generated by humans (programmers). | Generated by compilers or other translators. |
Understandability | Human-readable and understandable. | Not human-understandable, intended for computers. |
Usage | Used to create software. | Final product of the compilation process, executed by computers. |
In summary, source code is written in a high-level programming language and is human-readable, while object code is a translated, binary format generated by a compiler, and is not human-understandable.
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