executable code

noun

Instructions for a computer in a form the computer can directly use (i.e. which it can execute). Derived from source code by compiling or assembling and linking.

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Meanings

nounexecutable code (uncountable)
  1. uncountablecomputingInstructions for a computer in a form the computer can directly use (i.e. which it can execute). Derived from source code by compiling or assembling and linking.

    “Scripts” are distinct from the executable code of the application, as they are usually written in a different language with distinct semantics.

    2012, Ivan Ivanov, Marten van Sinderen, Boris Shishkov, editors, Cloud Computing and Services Science, →ISBN, page 7
    2 more examples

    Other types of macros, shell scripts, batch files, interpretable source code, even Postscript files also contain executable code, and are, in theory, vulnerable to virus attack.

    2003, Maximum Security, fourth, →ISBN, page 324

    The script itself contains variable and command substitution, the read command, and a while loop to get everything done in less than 10 lines of executable code!

    2008, Arnold Robbins, Nelson H. F. Beebe, Classic Shell Scripting: Hidden Commands that Unlock the Power of Unix, →ISBN, page 158

Translations

Bulgarian изпълним код
  • изпълним код (izpălnim kod)code in the form a computer can directly use
Chinese Mandarin 可執行代碼 /可执行代码
  • 可執行代碼 /可执行代码code in the form a computer can directly use
Finnish konekielinen koodi
  • konekielinen koodicode in the form a computer can directly use
Japanese 実行コード
  • 実行コード (jikkō kōdo)code in the form a computer can directly use
Romanian cod executabil
  • cod executabilcode in the form a computer can directly use
Russian исполни́мый код, исполня́емый код
  • исполни́мый код (ispolnímyj kod)code in the form a computer can directly use
  • исполня́емый код (ispolnjájemyj kod)code in the form a computer can directly use
Cite this entry
APA

executable code. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/executable%20code

MLA

“executable code.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/executable%20code. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “executable code,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/executable%20code.

Source: executable code on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.