Binary Executable

A binary executable is a type of computer file that contains machine code instructions that a computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) executes directly. Typically created by compiling source code written in programming languages like C or C++, binary executables are ready-to-run programs that do not require any further compilation or interpretation to run. These files are specific to an operating system and hardware platform, meaning a binary executable created for Windows will not work natively on macOS or Linux, and vice versa.

This kind of file is fundamental to software operation in computers, as it allows programs to perform their functions as intended without the need for real-time translation or compilation. The term "binary" refers to the file being in a format that the computer can execute directly, typically consisting of binary data, which is a series of ones and zeros that are understandable to the machine's hardware.