Executable
Domain: Computer Systems
🎯 Motivation
A file that can be run as a program. On Linux, needs execute permission. On Windows, has .exe extension.
📋 Concrete Example
Executable: python is at /usr/bin/python. It has execute permission. Type python in terminal -> OS finds it via PATH and runs it. The file contains machine code the CPU can execute.
🔗 Analogy
An executable is like a ready-to-eat meal - you do not need to cook it, just open and eat. The OS can run it directly. Source code (app.py) needs to be compiled or interpreted first.