COM 217
ASSIGNMENT
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOURCE CODE AND OBJECT
CODE.
Source code and object code: are two distinct forms of computer code that serve
different purposes in the software development process. Here's a breakdown of the
differences between source code and object code:
Source Code:
1. Definition: Source code refers to the human-readable form of a computer
program. It is typically written in a high-level programming language such as
Python, C++, Java, or JavaScript. Source code contains instructions and statements
written by developers using a combination of keywords, syntax, and programming
constructs.
2. Readability: Source code is designed to be easily readable and understandable
by programmers. It uses meaningful variable and function names, comments, and
indentation to enhance its clarity and maintainability.
3. Editing and Compilation: Source code is written, modified, and maintained by
software developers using text editors or integrated development environments
(IDEs). To execute the source code on a computer, it must first be compiled or
interpreted into machine-readable code.
4. Portability: Source code is generally portable across different platforms and
operating systems as long as the required programming language and dependencies
are available.
5. Extensions: Source code files typically have specific file extensions associated
with the programming language they are written in, such as .py for Python, .cpp for
C++, .java for Java, and .js for JavaScript.
Object Code:
1. Definition: Object code, also known as machine code, is the binary
representation of a program after it has been compiled or assembled from the
source code. It consists of low-level instructions that can be directly executed by
the computer's processor.
2. Readability: Object code is not meant to be read or understood by humans. It is
represented in the form of binary digits (0s and 1s) and is machine-readable.
3. Generation: Object code is generated through the process of compilation or
assembly. Compilation translates the source code into object code for languages
like C++, Java, or C#, while assembly converts assembly language source code
into object code.
4. Execution: Object code is executed directly by the computer's processor or, in
some cases, by a virtual machine or interpreter that can understand the specific
object code format.
5. Platform-specific: Object code is typically specific to the target platform or
architecture for which it was compiled. It is not portable across different platforms
without recompilation or reassembly.
6. Linking: Object code may need to be linked with other object code or libraries
to create a complete executable program. Linking resolves references to external
functions, variables, or libraries and combines the necessary object code to create a
standalone executable file.
In summary, source code is the human-readable form of a program written by
developers, while object code is the machine-readable form of the program
generated after compilation or assembly. Source code is portable and editable,
while object code is platform-specific and not directly readable or editable by
humans.
Certainly! Here are some additional details about source code and object
code:
Source Code:
1. Programming Languages: Source code is written in high-level programming
languages, which provide a more abstract and human-readable representation of
the program's logic. These languages include popular ones like Python, C++, Java,
JavaScript, Ruby, and many more.
2. Development and Debugging: Developers write, edit, and maintain the source
code using text editors or integrated development environments (IDEs). IDEs offer
features like syntax highlighting, code completion, and debugging tools to aid in
the development and debugging process.
3. Abstraction and Expressiveness: Source code allows programmers to express
complex logic and algorithms using high-level constructs and abstractions. It
provides features like variables, functions, classes, control flow statements, and
libraries that make programming more efficient and manageable.
4. Readability and Maintainability: Source code is intended to be easily
readable, understandable, and maintainable by developers. Good coding practices,
such as writing clear and concise code, using meaningful variable and function
names, and adding comments and documentation, contribute to the readability and
maintainability of the source code.
5. Version Control: Source code is often managed using version control systems
like Git. These systems track changes made to the source code over time, allowing
developers to collaborate, revert changes, and maintain a history of the code base.
Object Code:
1. Low-Level Representation: Object code represents the program in a low-level,
machine-readable format. It consists of binary instructions, typically in the form of
0s and 1s, that can be directly executed by the computer's hardware.
2. Compilation and Assembling: Source code is transformed into object code
through compilation or assembly. Compilation involves translating the entire
source code into object code in one step, while assembly converts assembly
language source code into object code.
3. Executable and Linkable Format (ELF): Object code is often stored in an
Executable and Linkable Format (ELF), which is a common file format for
executable and object code on many Unix-like operating systems.
4. Platform-Specific and Machine-Dependent: Object code is specific to the
target platform and machine architecture for which it was compiled. It contains
instructions that are directly understood by the computer's processor and hardware.
Therefore, object code generated for one platform may not run on a different
platform without recompilation.
5. Linking: Object code may need to be linked with other object code files,
libraries, or system dependencies to create a complete executable program. Linking
resolves references to external functions, variables, or libraries and combines all
the necessary object code files to generate a standalone executable file.
It's important to note that the distinction between source code and object code
primarily exists in compiled or assembled programming languages. Interpreted
languages, such as Python or JavaScript, do not have a distinct object code phase,
as the source code is directly executed by an interpreter without prior compilation.
Understanding source code and object code is crucial for software developers, as it
enables them to write, analyze, debug, and optimize programs efficiently. Both
source code and object code play essential roles in the software development life
cycle, from writing and testing code to the final deployment and execution of
applications.
