Source code is a text format that describes tasks for a computer, compiled into machine language. Markup languages like HTML are often called source code. Programming languages have different syntax and conventions, and there are two legal models: open-source and closed-source.
Every programming and markup language has its own particular form of source code, sometimes referred to simply as “source”. This code consists of a description of the tasks a computer must perform and is written and stored in a text format that a human can easily read. Some of the code is compiled before use, a process that transforms the source code into a set of machine language instructions. Text in a markup language such as HTML is not technically source code in the purest sense of the word, but is often referred to as such. There are also several legal categories of source code with the most important division being open-source and closed-source.
Each programming language uses a different syntax to represent an underlying algorithm. These differences mean that the source code varies from language to language. Some languages, such as C and C++, are related and share some style and syntax elements.
Some programming style conventions occur in most languages. For example, nearly all languages include a system for denoting comments or parts of code intended for human viewers rather than for processing by a compiler. This is such a common feature of source code that different comment notation styles appear in more than one programming language.
All real source code must be run through a compiler and turned into machine language before it can be run by a computer. In some cases, such as Python in interactive mode, this task is performed dynamically. In other cases, the compiler produces an executable file that stores machine language instructions for later use.
The marked-up text that makes up much of the web’s content isn’t technically source code. There is some similarity, however, as HTML and other related markup languages convey meaning and describe the tasks a computer should perform, especially the ways in which text and other information should be formatted and displayed. Therefore, text that has been marked up in HTML is often referred to as source code.
Legally speaking, there are two models for source ownership and distribution. Open source software is software whose code is provided, sometimes without strings attached and sometimes with an open source license agreement that preserves some basic rights for the author. Some of these agreements limit the type of changes that can be made to the source code, but some simply state that credit must go to the original author.
Closed source is the other major legal variety of source code. In this model, only one executable file is provided to the license holder. Users are prohibited from attempting to decompile the executable files to reveal the underlying code. This legal model dominates the commercial software field, although some open source business models have also proven viable.
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