Execution (computing): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:48, 2 February 2025

Revision as of 19:34, 16 April 2025

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{{see|Program lifecycle phase}}

Prior to execution, a program must first be written. This is generally done in [[source code]], which is then compiled at [[compile time]] (and statically linked at [[link time]]) to produce an executable. This executable is then invoked, most often by an operating system, which loads the program into memory ([[load time]]), possibly performs [[dynamic linking]], and then begins execution by moving control to the [[entry point]] of the program; all these steps depend on the [[Application Binary Interface]] of the operating system. At this point execution begins and the program enters [[run time (program lifecycle phase)|run time]]. The program then runs until it ends, either in a normal [[termination (computer science)|termination]] or a [[crash (computing)|crash]].

== Executable ==

{{main|Executable}}

''Executable code'', an ''executable file'', or an ''executable program'', sometimes simply referred to as an ''executable'' or

''binary'', is a list of instructions and data to cause a computer "to perform indicated tasks according to encoded [[instruction (computer science)|instructions]]",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executable |title=executable |access-date=2008-07-19 |work=Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary |publisher=[[Merriam-Webster]]}}</ref> as opposed to a [[Data (computing)|data file]] that must be interpreted ([[parser|parsed]]) by a program to be meaningful.

The exact interpretation depends upon the use. "Instructions" is traditionally taken to mean [[machine code]] instructions for a physical [[Central processing unit|CPU]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/machine-instructions/|title=Machine Instructions|date=2015-11-03|website=GeeksforGeeks|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-18}}</ref> In some contexts, a file containing scripting instructions (such as [[bytecode]]) may also be considered executable.

== Context of execution ==