Machine language is “the ‘lowest’-level computer programming language . . . which is a binary language written in ‘bits’ (BInary digiTS).”[1] Machine language programs can be executed directly by the computer, but are relatively difficult to write and understand.
Programs are typically distributed in machine language form. Machine language programs do not have to be assembled or compiled by the user; they are ready to be loaded into the computer and executed. In addition, distribution in machine language form has the side effect that it is difficult for others to look at the program code and understand how the program works. This can help to keep secret those elements which give the program a competitive advantage.
References
- ↑ Lotus Dev. Corp. v. Paperback Software Int’l, 740 F. Supp. 37, 43 (D. Mass. 1990)(full-text).