Software in a form that can be run in the computer. It typically refers to machine language, which is comprised of native instructions the computer carries out in hardware. Executable files in the DOS/Windows world use .EXE and .COM file extensions, while executable files in Unix and Mac do not require specific extensions. They are identified by their file structure.
Software and Hardware to Execute
Executable code may also refer to programs written in interpreted languages that require additional software to actually execute. Some interpreted languages remain in their source code form, such as JavaScript and VBScript, while others are compiled into an intermediate language, such as Java and Visual Basic. Interpreted languages require software runtime engines to convert the program into executable instructions for a particular CPU family that the hardware executes. See machine language, linker, compiler, intermediate language, x86 and Java Virtual Machine.
Software and Hardware to Execute
Executable code may also refer to programs written in interpreted languages that require additional software to actually execute. Some interpreted languages remain in their source code form, such as JavaScript and VBScript, while others are compiled into an intermediate language, such as Java and Visual Basic. Interpreted languages require software runtime engines to convert the program into executable instructions for a particular CPU family that the hardware executes. See machine language, linker, compiler, intermediate language, x86 and Java Virtual Machine.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Mozilla locks out rogue Firefox add-ons
- Firefox has conquered IEIt is evident that Firefox free has conquered IE, plus the fact the majority of sites work regardless of browser.The days of this old bait & switch from MS are over.But I thought the whole point behind "open source"......was to allow ANYONE to put code in their...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- New tool aids .Net developers in writing Linux, Mac OS X apps
- Windows only applications will be a thing of the past before long.We could also use some good tools for porting general Win32 apps to Mac and Linux using WineLib.Agree, but, for the transition, these kinks of tools will helpNTmore reasons to avoid NovellThese proprietary apps that work only with M$...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-10
- Counting vulnerabilities is pointless
- Suddenly it doesn't matter any more? Vulnerability count is an indication of software qualityIt goes directly to the process the vendor went through to root out vulnerabilities before shipping. At least if you compare products with the same general purpose and which receives the same amount of scrutiny.Time to fix...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-09
- OllyDbg 1.10 (Windows)
- OllyDbg is a 32-bit assembler level analyzing debugger for Microsoft Windows. Emphasis on binary code analysis makes it particularly useful in cases where source is unavailable. It predicts contents of registers, recognizes procedures, API calls, switches, tables, constants and strings, locates routines from object files and libraries, allows custom labels...
- Software downloads 2009-10-21
- Silent Walk FPS Creator 2.0.6 (Windows)
- If you like playing 3D games, you might like to create your own game with custom scenes, characters, weapons and design your own gameplay. Silent Walk FPS Creator is a tool which helps you design and build your dream 3D game - without a single line of code. It is...
- Software downloads 2009-10-21
- Google Chrome Frame boosts IE speed up to Chrome levels
- If only it was for Firefox......but still astonishing results!Could this be the start of hybrid browsers? Will there be a FF version?irrelevantNobody uses IE 7 or 8 because of security.Making a bad product worse is not what windoze users need.This shows again the virtues of FOSS vs proprietary software.Corporate IT...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-24
- The Linux botweb story that wasn't ...
- One of the things that always confused me...If you can access the source code to Linux, then wouldn't it be possible to crack a password, and then alter the compromised system's source code to suit the hacker's needs?That doesn't seem to secure to me...The short answer is yes.But in reality...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-14
- Windows 7, Vista exposed to 'teardrop attack'
- Vulnerable by default?[i]Exploit code for a remote reboot flaw in Microsoft's implementation of the SMB2 protocol has been posted on the internet, exposing users of Windows 7 and Windows Vista to the teardrop attacks that used to be popular on Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.[/i]I presume this attack is able...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-08
- Young man yells at cloud
- Nice theory, but..."Or as Mark Twain once said, ?Put all your eggs in one basket and watch that basket.?"But isn't moving to the "cloud" putting all your eggs all in one basket...and that all you can do is watch...because you have NO control over it.And how about when your "cloud"...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-03
- EnCalcEU 4.2 (Windows)
- EnCalcEU calculates the cost of electricity, allowing the cost based on meter readings and forward prediction based on the readings and elapsed time. The results can be saved to a log file. EnCalcEU copes with different charging rates for electricity at different times of day, alternative rates based on a...
- Software downloads 2009-09-02
- The impact of installing Rosetta on Snow Leopard (Spoiler: none)
- As I tweeted on August 17, installing Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac requires the installation of Rosetta, which is now an optional install in Snow Leopard. If you already have Office 2008 installed on your Mac, no extra installation is required. Rosetta is only required to install...
- Blog posts 2009-08-28
- Snow Leopard: Why students shouldn't care less
- NonZealot, 1You've just gone up a notch in my books. Good comment!RE: Snow Leopard: Why students shouldn't care lessIt's obvious that you are happy with that old code clunker Windows that is held together with string and chewing gum so stick with it and have a good day.Apple digs...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-27
- VarySafe 1.2.0001 (Windows)
- VarySafe is a document security software especially for the people who need to release/send their digital document data to the specific data user frequently. VarySafe will prevent data user's redistribution of released data to the other third-parties. It is also possible to set the expiration limit and user's view/print permission....
- Software downloads 2009-08-27
- Reformulating Murphy's law
- Reformulating Murphy's lawInteresting thoughtsIt's saddening that thought is such a rare thing among us humans.Imagine how different the world might have been.[i]"The applications to IT are less obvious but equally compelling. If you believe, for example, in the achievability of wintel security, you?ll spend lots of money setting your employer...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-01
- Remote code execution exploit for Firefox 3.5 in the wild
- Remote code execution exploit for Firefox 3.5 in the wildinstall "noscript" now!This is exactly the type of exploit noscript is designed to prevent - unless you allow the untrusted web site, you will be protected.https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722cheersShields Up!:Noscript? Check. Adblock? Check.Ubuntu 9.04 Linux? Check.AppArmor Firefox Profile? Check.Everything is super fine and safe...
- Discussion threads 2009-07-14
- Clean Virus MSN 2.6 (Windows)
- Clean MSN Virus is a tool that detects and deletes currently circulating MSN Messenger viruses. For some time now, MSN Messenger has been used to spread viruses. During a conversation, a user receives, apparently from his contact, a link inviting him to open a file that looks like a photo....
- Software downloads 2009-07-05
- Resource Tuner 1.99 R5 (Windows)
- Resource Tuner is a resource editor that enables you to customize any application by editing and replacing resources within the file. With an extremely intuitive workflow, Resource Tuner lets you view, extract, replace, edit, and delete the embedded resources of executable files: icons, strings, images, sounds, dialogs, menus in other...
- Software downloads 2009-07-03
- Excelsior JET 6.5 (Windows)
- Excelsior JET is a complete solution for acceleration, protection, and deployment of your Java applications, certified Java Compatible on a number of Windows and Linux platforms. Excelsior JET Optimizer converts your application's classes and jars into highly optimized Intel x86 code and creates a native executable for Microsoft Windows or...
- Software downloads 2009-06-25
- FlashOnDesktop 1.0 (Windows)
- FlashOnDesktop is a product to produce desktop application and screensaver based on flash movie swf files. The main features of FlashOnDesktop include: Capable of producing both general desktop application and screensaver. Full transparent window support. Multiple windows creation. Simple synchronous file operation. Embed movie files and flash control. Synchronous extension....
- Software downloads 2009-06-23
- Quttera 0.3.1.0.9 (Windows)
- Quttera is a Malicious Content Detection System designated especially for detection malicious executable code, zero-day vulnerability exploits and shellcodes embedded into computer information and media files such as movies, images, documents and etc. Quttera implements patent pending algorithm capable of detection zero day malicious treats without any previous information (treat...
- Software downloads 2009-06-01
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