code

Code is a system of symbols and rules used to represent information and to guide actions. It encompasses natural language codes, formal encoding schemes, and the instructions that computers execute. In practice, code provides a bridge between human intent and machine behavior.

In computing, code usually refers to source code: the human-readable text written in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++. Programs are transformed into executable form through compiling or interpretation. Good code is clear, correct, and maintainable, and it is supported by testing and documentation.

Machine code is the binary instructions carried out by a processor. High-level languages are translated into machine code by compilers, assemblers, or interpreters. This translation enables algorithms described in human terms to be executed by hardware with predictable performance.

Data and information are also encoded, using standards such as character encodings (ASCII, UTF-8) to map symbols to bytes. In biology, codons are three-nucleotide sequences that encode amino acids. In cryptography and communications, codes and ciphers transform messages to conceal or verify content.

Beyond computing, the term appears in codes of conduct, industry standards, and regulatory codes. The concept of code thus spans representation, transformation, and behavior, linking methods of encoding with the practical requirements of technology and society.