Difference Between C Language Source Code and Object Code

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Source code files and object files are crucial components in the compilation process of C programming. Let’s explore each one:

1. Source Code File:

A source code file is a text file that contains the human-readable code written in the C programming language. It typically has a `.c` extension. The source code file is created by a programmer and contains the instructions and logic for the desired program. It can include functions, variables, control structures, and other programming constructs. Source code files are written in a format that can be easily understood and modified by programmers.

2. Object File:

An object file is a binary file generated by the compiler during the compilation process. It typically has a `.o` or `.obj` extension, depending on the operating system. The object file is not human-readable and is in a machine-readable format. It contains the compiled code from the corresponding source code file, translated into low-level instructions specific to the target machine architecture. The object file serves as an intermediate representation of the program before it is linked.

During the compilation process, the source code files are passed through the compiler, which translates them into object files. The object files are then combined and linked with other necessary libraries to create an executable file that can be run on the target platform.

Source code files contain the human-readable code that programmers write, while object files contain the compiled binary code generated by the compiler from the source code. Let’s see the major difference between those files.