What Is Source Code?
Source code is the set of human-readable instructions, written in a specific programming language, that a computer programmer creates to build a piece of software. It is the fundamental blueprint that tells a computer what to do, how to behave, and how to display information.
Section 2: From Source Code to a Program
For a computer to execute these instructions, the source code must be converted into machine code—a low-level language of ones and zeros that the computer's processor can directly understand. This conversion process is handled by a program called a compiler or an interpreter, depending on the language.
Section 3: A Practical Example
Imagine you want to create a program that displays 'Hello, World!' on the screen. In the Python programming language, the source code would be a single, simple line: `print('Hello, World!')`. This instruction is easy for a human to read and write, but it must be interpreted into machine code for the computer to execute it.
Section 4: Why Is Source Code Important?
Source code is essential for maintaining, updating, and debugging software. It allows programmers to collaborate, find and fix errors (bugs), and add new features. Without access to the source code, modifying how a program works would be nearly impossible.