machine code

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "machine code" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of computer programming and refers to the low-level code that a computer's processor can execute directly. Example: "The software was written in high-level language, but it was ultimately compiled down to machine code for execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We finished a binary machine code translation program from NES game code into ATMega32 machine code.

Cornell University

I should have been writing machine code, of course.

The Guardian

Most compilers are designed to optimise things such as the speed of the resulting machine code.

The Economist

Test attacks designed to take over computers running the resulting machine code always failed.

The Economist

It reads the program's machine code into the simulated memory (starting at address 0x01000).

University of California, Berkeley

interpreted: the Java compiler generates code for a Java Virtual Machine rather than native machine code.

Harvard University

To create your own tests, you first need to create the relevant machine code.

University of California, Berkeley

To run the program above, you would need to convert it into machine code.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The machine, code-named C64, is being built for a United States government agency.

The New Yorker

In 1939 the Japanese introduced a new cipher machine, code-named Purple by U.S. cryptanalysts, in which rotors were replaced by telephone stepping switches.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Early on they were very technically oriented with type-in programs and machine code tutorials.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing performance-critical sections of code, specify that they are optimized at the "machine code" level to emphasize their efficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "machine code" and assembly language interchangeably. While assembly language is a human-readable representation of machine instructions, "machine code" is the raw binary format directly executed by the processor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "machine code" functions as a noun, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It denotes a specific type of code directly understandable by a computer's processor. As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "machine code" is a noun phrase referring to the low-level instructions directly executed by a computer's processor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in academia, news & media, and science. While often used interchangeably with related terms like assembly language, it's crucial to understand the distinction: "machine code" is the binary format, while assembly language is its human-readable representation. Understanding these nuances is key to effective communication in technical domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

executable code

Refers to code that is ready to be run by a computer, emphasizing its runnable state.

object code

Focuses on the output of a compiler or assembler, highlighting its role as an intermediate step to executable code.

native code

Implies code that is specific to a particular processor or system, stressing its optimized performance for that platform.

binary executable

Highlights the binary format of the code, indicating its direct interpretability by the processor.

low-level language

Describes a programming language that is close to the hardware, emphasizing its control over system resources.

assembly language

Focuses on the human-readable symbolic representation of machine instructions.

processor instructions

Emphasizes the specific set of commands a processor can understand and execute.

computer instructions

A more general term referring to instructions a computer can execute.

compiled code

Highlights the result of compiling source code into machine-readable instructions.

CPU instructions

Specifically refers to instructions executed by the central processing unit.

FAQs

How is "machine code" different from assembly language?

"Machine code" is the binary representation of instructions that a computer can directly execute. Assembly language is a human-readable form of these instructions, which needs to be assembled into "machine code" before execution.

What's the relationship between high-level languages and "machine code"?

High-level languages like Java or C++ are designed for human readability and ease of programming. These languages are compiled or interpreted into "machine code" that the computer's processor can understand and execute. Java, for instance, is compiled to bytecode, which is then translated to "native code".

What is the role of a compiler in the context of "machine code"?

A compiler translates source code written in a high-level programming language into "machine code". This process makes the program directly executable by the computer's processor. For example, a C++ compiler translates C++ code into "executable code".

Why would I need to understand "machine code"?

While not always necessary, understanding "machine code" can be valuable for optimizing performance, debugging complex issues, or reverse engineering software. It provides a deeper understanding of how software interacts with hardware.