Machine code

Machine Code

Machine code is a fundamental type of computer code, written in binary 0’s and 1’s, that is used by computers to perform various operations. It is also known as object code, machine language, and assembly language. Machine code is typically the lowest-level language that a computer understands and is the language in which all software is written.

The computer’s Central Processing Unit (CPU) is inherently wired to recognize machine code, and user instructions are not processed until they have been translated into this form. As a result, some degree of knowledge of machine code is needed to program a computer.

In the earliest days of computing, machine code was written manually by computer engineers, using specific instructions for a precise operation. Modern computers use high-level programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript, which enable people to set up general tasks for a computer to perform without the need to understand the underlying machine code. These instructions are then translated into machine code by an interpreter or compiler.

When a high-level programming language is used, the computer program’s source code is translated into machine code instructions. This is done by interpreting the high-level language, which reads the instructions in the program and translates them into machine code. Alternatively, the source code can be compiled, which converts the program into machine language before it is executed.

Machine code instructions are made up of short mnemonic codes that represent specific computer operations, as well as specific data values. The machine code for each specific computer processor is unique and only understood by the processor for which it was designed.

For example, a machine code instruction for an Intel processor will have no meaning on an ARM processor. As a result, software written for one computer is not necessarily compatible with another.

Ultimately, machine code is the most fundamental language of computers, required for performing all types of operations. Its key benefit is that it can run quickly and efficiently, as the computer processes it directly, without the need for an interpreter or compiler. For this reason, it is still widely used for certain types of operations, such as video game graphics and algorithms, where speed and efficiency are top concerns.

Although knowledge of machine code is not necessary for many programming operations, it is pertinent to computer science and software engineering, as it gives an understanding of how software works ‘under the hood’.