source code

American  

[sawrs kohd] / ˈsɔrs ˌkoʊd /

noun

Computers.

1. program instructions written in a programming language that is readable by humans and that must be converted to machine language before being executed.

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source code British  

noun

1. computing the original form of a computer program before it is converted into a machine-readable code

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source code Scientific  

/ sôrs /

1. Code written by a programmer in a high-level language and readable by people but not computers. Source code must be converted to object code or machine language by a compiler before a computer can read or execute the program.

2. Compare object code

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Compare meaning

How does source-code compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• source code vs. object code

Example Sentences

Source code makes up the underlying building blocks of the apps you use.

From New York Times • May 29, 2024

Source code, a collection of computer code that power websites and features, is quite expansive and could contain cryptographic keys that allow access to other company programs.

From Washington Post • Mar. 27, 2023

Source code for the mobile, desktop, and video game console Twitch clients.

From The Verge • Oct. 6, 2021

Source code embedded in emails reviewed by CBS News showed that the messages originated from IP addresses linked to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Estonia.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2020

Source code represents the crown jewels for any software maker and most major commercial software companies jealously guard the code as their most precious secrets.

From Reuters • Jul. 30, 2014