executable

Beginner 💻 Tech / IT

Definition

A file that contains actual runnable code rather than just data or instructions—the software equivalent of the difference between a recipe and a ready-made meal. Double-click an executable and your computer will attempt to run it, for better or worse (mostly worse if you downloaded it from a sketchy website). These files have extensions like .exe, .app, or .bin, and they're what antivirus software watches like a hawk.

Example Usage

I tried to email the executable file to my colleague, but the mail server blocked it because apparently IT doesn't trust us with actual programs.

Source: Computer science terminology

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