uncompiled

Uncompiled refers to source code that has not yet been transformed into machine code or an intermediate representation that a computer can directly execute. Most programming languages are written in a human-readable format, often referred to as source code, which is then processed by a compiler or an interpreter. A compiler translates the entire source code into machine code or bytecode before the program is run. An interpreter, on the other hand, reads and executes the source code line by line.

When code is uncompiled, it remains in its original, human-readable form. This means it cannot be directly executed by a computer's processor. To run the program, the uncompiled code must first undergo a compilation process. This process involves checking for syntax errors and then converting the high-level programming language instructions into a lower-level language that the computer hardware can understand.

The term "uncompiled" is often used in contrast to "compiled" or "executable." Software distributed as uncompiled code typically requires the user to have a compiler or interpreter installed on their system and to perform the compilation step themselves. This is common in some open-source projects or when developing software, where access to the source code is essential for modification or understanding. In contrast, most commercial software is distributed in a compiled, executable format, protecting the original source code and allowing users to run it directly without needing development tools.