| − | '''Machine code''' is a sequence of binary numbers that control a central processing unit ([[CPU]]). On very early computers, machine code was the language used to program computers. Since the 1960s, however, [[computer software]] is commonly written in a higher level language such as C, Java, [[FORTRAN]], and assembly language. | + | '''Machine code''' is a sequence of [[binary]] values that control a central processing unit ([[CPU]]). On very early [[Computer|computers]], machine code was the [[Programming language]] used to program computers. Since the 1960s, however, [[computer software]] is commonly written in a higher level language such as [[C (programming language)|C]], [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[FORTRAN]], and [[Assembly language]]. |
| − | For many CPUs, Machine code is generated from assembly language via an assembler, or sometimes directly from higher level languages such as C. | + | For many CPUs, Machine code is generated from assembly language via an assembler, or sometimes directly from higher level languages such as C, via a [[compiler]]. |