Executable file
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An executable file is any file that can be executed by an operating system.
Programmers don't write executable files directly; instead they write source code which is compiled by a compiler into machine code (or at least, close to machine code).
Because they are designed to be read by a computer rather than humans, executable files are stored in binary (see binary file) and so cannot easily be viewed in a text editor.
Running an executable file
edit edit sourceExecutable files can usually be... well... executed (run) - they are executable.
In most cases, this is as simple as (double) clicking on the file and it will start whatever program it runs. You can also run executable files through a terminal just by using the file path to the executable file.