Source-code compatibility: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:32, 11 October 2008

Revision as of 03:41, 16 October 2008

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The source code must be [[compiler|compiled]] before running, unless the computers can work as

[[Interpreter (computing)|Interpreters]] (this is the case of a few [[bytecode]] processors). Confusingly, sometimes the term is used for [[assembly language]] compatibility, where the source is already [[human-readable]] [[machine code]] but must be converted to executable code by an [[Assembly language#Assembler|assembler]]. This is different from [[binary- code compatibility]], where no recompliationrecompilation is needed.

Source-compatibility is a major issue in the developing of computer programs. For example, most [[Unix]] systems are source compatible, as long as one uses only standard [[library|libraries]]. [[Microsoft Windows]] systems are source compatible across one major family (NT, 2000, XP or 95, 98, ME), with partial source compatibility between the two families.