Source code is the human-readable set of instructions written by a programmer in a programming language, such as Python, C++, or Java, to create a computer program. It is typically written in plain text and serves as the blueprint that controls the behavior of a computer program or software
. Because computers only understand machine code (binary instructions), source code must be translated before execution. This translation can be done by a compiler, which converts source code into machine code (object code) that the computer can run directly, or by an interpreter, which translates and executes the code line-by-line at runtime. Some languages use a hybrid approach involving bytecode, an intermediate form that is quickly interpreted
. Source code is essential in software development as it is the foundation of all software applications, websites, and digital tools. Programmers write and modify source code to implement features, fix bugs, and improve software. It can be stored digitally in files or even printed as text
. There are two main types of software regarding source code availability: proprietary software, where the source code is kept secret to protect intellectual property, and open-source software, where the source code is made publicly available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute under specific licenses
. In summary, source code is the original, human-readable instructions written by programmers that define how software operates, which must be translated into machine-readable code for execution by a computer
