source-code
/ˈsɔːs kəʊd/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Source code is the human-readable text of a computer program. It tells a computer what to do and can be read and changed by programmers.
- The source code is written in Python.
- She checked the source code for bugs.
verb
To source-code something means to write its source code, especially in programming work. This use is less common and often appears in technical contexts.
- They source-coded the new app last week.
- He source-coded the feature in JavaScript.
Adinary Nuance
Source code is not the same as code in general. Code can mean the compiled or processed form, but source code is the original text humans write and edit. Writers use source code when they want to stress readability and the editable original, not just any program file.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mã nguồn
- Spanish
- código fuente
- Chinese
- 源代码
- Japanese
- ソースコード
- Korean
- 소스 코드
Etymology
Source code came into English from computer programming in the mid-20th century. It combines source, meaning the original form, and code, meaning computer instructions.
Common phrases
source code filesource code editoropen the source coderead the source code
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is source code the same as code?
- Not exactly. Source code is the original human-written version of code.
- Is source code a formal term?
- Yes. It is common in technical, academic, and business writing.
- Can I say 'the source code of an app'?
- Yes. That is a natural and correct phrase.