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Source code is a set of human-readable instructions and definitions written in a programming language that tells a computer how to perform a task. It serves as the "blueprint" for a software program, with programmers creating and editing it to build applications, websites, and other software. Before a computer can execute the instructions, the source code must be translated into machine code by a compiler or assembler.

Human-readable: Source code is written in a language that people can understand and modify, unlike the binary "machine code" that a computer directly executes.

Foundation: It is the fundamental component of software, containing all the logic and definitions needed for a program to function.

Examples of use: Web developers use source code, such as HTML, to create the structure of a website. Programmers use various languages like Python, Java, or C++ to write the instructions for their programs.

Analogy: A good analogy is that source code is like the raw Photoshop file, containing all the original layers and information, while the final, compiled program is like the exported JPEG or PNG image that can be viewed easily but is harder to edit.

Translation: To be run by a computer, source code must be converted into object code or machine code by a compiler. This compiled code is platform-specific.

Proprietary vs. Open Source: For proprietary software, the source code is kept private and controlled by its owner. Users are typically restricted from modifying or distributing it.