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| + | == Definition == |
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| + | '''Object code''' has been defined as |
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| ⚫ | {{Quote|a [[translation]] of the [[source code]] language into the [[machine language]] of the [[computer]] (e.g., [[binary]] coding using zeros and ones or [[hexadecimal]] coding using letters and numbers or [[octal]] coding using zero to seven) that the [[computer]] [[execute]]s. Only [[instruction]]s expressed in object code can be used ‘directly’ by the [[computer]]. Thus the [[source code]] is [[convert]]ed into electrical impulses to carry out the tasks set forth in the [[source code]]. The [[binary]] code of [[machine code]] (or object code) is virtually unintelligible to [[programmer]]s.<ref>[[CONTU Final Report]] 54 n.109 (1978).</ref>}} |
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| + | == Overview == |
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{{Quote|Object code often is directly [[execute|executable]] by the [[computer]] into which it is entered. It sometimes contains [[instruction]]s, however, that are readable only by [[computer]]s containing a particular [[processor]], such as a Pentium [[processor]], or a specific [[operating system]] such as [[Microsoft]] Windows. In such instances, a [[computer]] lacking the specific [[processor]] or [[operating system]] can [[execute]] the object code only if it has an [[emulator]] program that simulates the necessary [[processor]] or [[operating system]] or if the [[code]] first is run through a [[translator ]] [[program]] that [[convert]]s it into object code readable by that [[computer]].<ref>[[Universal City Studios v. Reimerdes|Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Reimerdes,]] 111 F.Supp.2d 294, 306 n.18 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)([http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=4887310188384829978&q=111+F.Supp.2d+294&hl=en&as_sdt=2002 full-text]) (footnotes omitted).</ref>}} |
{{Quote|Object code often is directly [[execute|executable]] by the [[computer]] into which it is entered. It sometimes contains [[instruction]]s, however, that are readable only by [[computer]]s containing a particular [[processor]], such as a Pentium [[processor]], or a specific [[operating system]] such as [[Microsoft]] Windows. In such instances, a [[computer]] lacking the specific [[processor]] or [[operating system]] can [[execute]] the object code only if it has an [[emulator]] program that simulates the necessary [[processor]] or [[operating system]] or if the [[code]] first is run through a [[translator ]] [[program]] that [[convert]]s it into object code readable by that [[computer]].<ref>[[Universal City Studios v. Reimerdes|Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Reimerdes,]] 111 F.Supp.2d 294, 306 n.18 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)([http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=4887310188384829978&q=111+F.Supp.2d+294&hl=en&as_sdt=2002 full-text]) (footnotes omitted).</ref>}} |
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Revision as of 20:03, 18 November 2010
Definition
Object code has been defined as
| “ | a translation of the source code language into the machine language of the computer (e.g., binary coding using zeros and ones or hexadecimal coding using letters and numbers or octal coding using zero to seven) that the computer executes. Only instructions expressed in object code can be used ‘directly’ by the computer. Thus the source code is converted into electrical impulses to carry out the tasks set forth in the source code. The binary code of machine code (or object code) is virtually unintelligible to programmers.[1] | ” |
Overview
| “ | Object code often is directly executable by the computer into which it is entered. It sometimes contains instructions, however, that are readable only by computers containing a particular processor, such as a Pentium processor, or a specific operating system such as Microsoft Windows. In such instances, a computer lacking the specific processor or operating system can execute the object code only if it has an emulator program that simulates the necessary processor or operating system or if the code first is run through a translator program that converts it into object code readable by that computer.[2] | ” |
Object code is not readable by humans and for a lengthy program, the object code is so long and complex that it would take a skilled programmer months (and perhaps years) to understand how the program works and to extract any underlying ideas or algorithms. This difficulty enables software developers to distributed their programs to the public with confidence that any trade secrets contained in the object code will not be able to be extracted without an enormous investment of time and highly skilled manpower.
References
- ↑ CONTU Final Report 54 n.109 (1978).
- ↑ Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Reimerdes, 111 F.Supp.2d 294, 306 n.18 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)(full-text) (footnotes omitted).