Object code - Revision history

Larsbrinkhoff: Mention machine code and macrocode.

2025-07-13T05:10:19Z

Mention machine code and macrocode.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:10, 13 July 2025
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	'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a [[program]] in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] [[hardware]] can execute directly; i.e. [[instruction]]s for the CPU to [[execute]]. (The specification shared by the members of a CPU family for their object code is now called its [[instruction set architecture]]; CPUs which can execute the same object code are said to be [[program compatible]].)		'''Object code''', '''machine code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a [[program]] in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] [[hardware]] can execute directly; i.e. [[instruction]]s for the CPU to [[execute]]. (The specification shared by the members of a CPU family for their object code is now called its [[instruction set architecture]]; CPUs which can execute the same object code are said to be [[program compatible]].) Sometimes the term '''macrocode''' is used to contrast against [[microcode]].

	To run it, all that need be done is read the [[program]]'s instructions into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.		To run it, all that need be done is read the [[program]]'s instructions into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.

Jnc: Relationship between 'object code', 'instruction set architecture' and 'program compatible'

2024-01-11T02:51:25Z

Relationship between 'object code', 'instruction set architecture' and 'program compatible'

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:51, 11 January 2024
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	'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a [[program]] in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] [[hardware]] can execute directly; i.e. [[instruction]]s for the CPU to [[execute]].		'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a [[program]] in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] [[hardware]] can execute directly; i.e. [[instruction]]s for the CPU to [[execute]]. (The specification shared by the members of a CPU family for their object code is now called its [[instruction set architecture]]; CPUs which can execute the same object code are said to be [[program compatible]].)

	To run it, all that need be done is read the [[program]]'s instructions into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.		To run it, all that need be done is read the [[program]]'s instructions into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.

Jnc: /* See also */ +Self-modifying code

2021-06-11T06:21:17Z

Jnc: /* See also */ +Pure code

2021-06-11T03:03:46Z

Jnc: +cat

2018-12-15T23:58:14Z

+cat

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:58, 15 December 2018
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	* [[Relocatable binary]]		* [[Relocatable binary]]

			[[Category: Computer Basics]]

Jnc: Add links

2018-12-02T13:32:40Z

Add links

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:32, 2 December 2018
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	'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a program in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] hardware can execute directly; i.e. [[instruction]]s for the CPU to execute.		'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a [[program]] in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] [[hardware]] can execute directly; i.e. [[instruction]]s for the CPU to [[execute]].

	To run it, all that need be done is read the [[program]]'s instructions into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.		To run it, all that need be done is read the [[program]]'s instructions into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.
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	A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular CPU, as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.		A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular CPU, as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.

	It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[~~magnetic~~ tape]] and [[~~paper~~ tape]]),		It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[paper tape]], [[punched card]]s, and [[magnetic tape]].

	On older computers with front ~~panels~~, it was possible to 'toggle in' progams (i.e. deposit the [[word]]s of the program directly into main memory, using the switches on the front console).		On older computers with [[front panel]]s, it was possible to 'toggle in' progams (i.e. deposit the [[word]]s of the program directly into main memory, using the switches on the front console).

	==See also==		==See also==

	* [[Relocatable binary]]		* [[Relocatable binary]]

Jnc: Add links, make more explicit

2018-05-04T14:28:18Z

Add links, make more explicit

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:28, 4 May 2018
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	'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a program in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] hardware can execute directly.		'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a program in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] hardware can execute directly; i.e. [[instruction]]s for the CPU to execute.

	To run it, all that need be done is read it into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.		To run it, all that need be done is read the [[program]]'s instructions into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.

	A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular CPU, as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.		A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular CPU, as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.
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	It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[magnetic tape]] and [[paper tape]]),		It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[magnetic tape]] and [[paper tape]]),

	On older computers with front panels, it was possible to 'toggle in' progams (i.e. deposit the ~~words~~ of the program directly into main memory, using the switches on the front console).		On older computers with front panels, it was possible to 'toggle in' progams (i.e. deposit the [[word]]s of the program directly into main memory, using the switches on the front console).

	==See also==		==See also==

	* [[Relocatable binary]]		* [[Relocatable binary]]

Jnc: rm dup linkage

2017-09-21T19:40:08Z

rm dup linkage

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 21 September 2017
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	'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a program in the low-level form which a computer's [[CPU]] hardware can execute directly.		'''Object code''', or '''executable binary''' (sometimes shortened to plain 'binary') is a program in the low-level form which a computer's [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]] hardware can execute directly.

	To run it, all that need be done is read it into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.		To run it, all that need be done is read it into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.

	A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular ~~[[Central Processing Unit\|~~CPU]], as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.		A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular CPU, as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.

	It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[magnetic tape]] and [[paper tape]]),		It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[magnetic tape]] and [[paper tape]]),

Jnc: avoid redir

2017-09-21T19:38:41Z

avoid redir

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:38, 21 September 2017
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	To run it, all that need be done is read it into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.		To run it, all that need be done is read it into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.

	A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular [[CPU]], as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.		A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular [[Central Processing Unit\|CPU]], as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.

	It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[magnetic tape]] and [[paper tape]]),		It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[magnetic tape]] and [[paper tape]]),

Jnc: Add PIC

2017-09-09T15:43:27Z

Add PIC

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:43, 9 September 2017
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	To run it, all that need be done is read it into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.		To run it, all that need be done is read it into [[main memory]] from wherever it is stored, and tell the CPU to start executing it.

	A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function.		A given program's object code is usually set up to be loaded in main memory at a given location; if it is loaded elsewhere, it usually cannot function - although this depends on the details of a particular [[CPU]], as some supported '''location-independent code''', which could be loaded and run at any address.

	~~==Other sources==~~		It is now usually stored on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[magnetic tape]] and [[paper tape]]),

	It is now usually on [[disk]], although historically it was stored on a long list of types of media, including [[magnetic tape]] and [[paper tape]]),

	On older computers with front panels, it was possible to 'toggle in' progams (i.e. deposit the words of the program directly into main memory, using the switches on the front console).		On older computers with front panels, it was possible to 'toggle in' progams (i.e. deposit the words of the program directly into main memory, using the switches on the front console).

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:21, 11 June 2021
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	* [[Pure code]]		* [[Pure code]]
			* [[Self-modifying code]]
	* [[Relocatable binary]]		* [[Relocatable binary]]

	[[Category: Computer Basics]]		[[Category: Computer Basics]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:03, 11 June 2021
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	==See also==		==See also==

			* [[Pure code]]
	* [[Relocatable binary]]		* [[Relocatable binary]]

	[[Category: Computer Basics]]		[[Category: Computer Basics]]