lähtekoodina

lähtekoodina is a Finnish term that translates to "as source code" or "in source code". It is commonly used in the context of computer programming and software development to refer to the human-readable instructions written by a programmer. This source code is the original text written in a programming language that can be understood by developers.

When software is distributed, it can be offered in various forms. Sometimes, only the compiled, executable version of the program is provided, which is machine code that the computer can directly understand. In other cases, the source code is also made available. When something is referred to as "lähtekoodina", it signifies that the original, human-editable programming text is being provided or discussed.

The availability of source code, or "lähtekoodina", is a key aspect of open-source software. In open-source models, developers are granted the right to view, modify, and distribute the source code. This transparency allows for community collaboration, bug fixing, and the development of new features. Conversely, proprietary or closed-source software typically does not make its source code available to the public, meaning it is not distributed "lähtekoodina". Understanding the distinction between compiled code and source code is fundamental to comprehending software licensing and development practices.