executable

executable

1. (of a computer program) able to be run

2. a file containing a program that will run as soon as it is opened

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

executable

(operating system)

A binary file containing a program in machine language which is ready to be executed (run).

The term might also be, but generally isn't, applied to scripts which are interpreted by a command line interpreter. Executables are distinguished in Unix by having the execute permission bits set, at least for the owner. MS-DOS uses the filename extension ".exe".

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

executable

As an adjective: able to be run in its current format. As a noun: a program file ready to run in a particular environment. See executable code.

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