Source Code
Written by programmer in a high-level language (C, C++, Python).
Human-readable but not directly executable.
Human-readable but not directly executable.
printf(“Hello World”);
Object Code
Machine-readable code generated by compiler.
Stored in
Not directly executable.
Stored in
.obj / .o files.Not directly executable.
Executable Code
Final program created by the linker.
Can be directly executed by computer.
Example:
Can be directly executed by computer.
Example:
.exe (Windows), a.out (Linux)
Source Code ➡️ Compiler ➡️ Object Code ➡️ Linker ➡️ Executable Code
| Feature | Source Code | Object Code | Executable Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Program written by programmer in high-level language. | Machine-readable code generated after compilation. | Final runnable program created after linking with libraries. |
| Readability | Human-readable | Not human-readable | Not human-readable but directly runnable |
| File Type | .c, .cpp, .java, .py | .obj, .o | .exe (Windows), a.out (Linux) |
| Execution | Cannot be executed directly | Cannot be executed directly | Can be executed directly by computer |
| Created By | Programmer | Compiler | Linker |
| Example | printf(“Hello World”); | Compiled binary of above code | HelloWorld.exe → prints “Hello World” |