The main difference between source program and object program is that a source program is a collection of instructions written using a programming language, while an object program is an output generated after compiling the source program.
A program is a set of instructions that directs the computer to perform a task. A programmer writes the program using a specific programming language, and this program is called the source program. The compiler compiles the source code to generate the object program. Overall, the programmer understands the source program but does not understand the object program. On the other hand, the machine does not understand the source program but understands the object program.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Source Program
-Definition, Functionality
2. What is Object Program
-Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Source Program and Object Program
-Comparison of key differences
Key Terms
Compiler, Object Program, Source Program
What is Source Program
Source program or source code is the original program written by the programmer. It is a text-based document. In the source program, the programmer writes the instructions the computer should perform. He writes these instructions using a computer programming language such as Java, C#.NET, etc. Programmer can easily understand and read the syntax of these programming languages. Furthermore, the written source code has to be according to the correct conventions and rules of that particular programming language.
What is Object Program
Object Program or the object code is a machine executable file. The computer or the machine does not understand the source program or the source code. Therefore, the compiler converts the source program into an object program. In other words, the object program is the output of the compiler. It has instructions for the machine in the form of binary digits. Therefore, it is a machine-readable code. As the machine understands this object program, it is a machine-executable code. Additionally, if the programmer does any changes to the source program, it is necessary to compile it to make those changes appear in the object program.
Moreover, object code is system architecture-specific. In other words, the file generated by the compiler for one machine can be different for some other system architecture. Therefore, some programming languages provide intermediate code generation so that intermediate code will execute on any platform.
Difference Between Source Program and Object Program
Definition
The source program is a collection of computer instructions written using a human-readable programming language. In contrast, the object program is a sequence of statements in binary that is generated after compiling the source program. Thus, this explains the main difference between source program and object program.
Consist of
Source programs contain English words according to the syntax of the programming language, whereas object program consists of binaries.
Synonyms
Moreover, source code is another name for source program while object code is another name for object program.
Readability
Programmer can read the source program, whereas the machine can read the object program.
Generation
Also, another difference between source program and object program is that the programmer creates the source program while the compiler creates the object program.
Connection with the compiler
Furthermore, the source program is the input to the compiler while the object program is the output of the compiler.
Conclusion
In brief, a compiler converts the source program to object program. The machine understands this object program so that it can perform the tasks defined in the program. Therefore, the main difference between source program and object program is that a source program is a collection of instructions written using a programming language, while an object program is an output generated after compiling the source program.
References:
1. “Object Code.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Apr. 2018, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1.”583537″ via Pixabay
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