Executable File


A file in a format that the computer can directly execute. Unlike source files, executable files cannot be read by humans. To transform a source file into an executable file, you need to pass it through a compiler or assembler.

In DOS systems, executable files have either a.COM or.EXE extension and are called COM files and EXE files, respectively.

Read Also:

  • execute

    (v.) Same as run, to perform an action, as in executing a program or a command.

  • execute cycle

    See under instruction cycle.

  • execution environment (EE)

    In Unified Modeling Language (UML) an execution environment (EE) is a type of node (or part of a node) that represents a particular execution platform, such as an operating system or a database management system. Execution environments are used to describe the context in which the execution of a model takes place. Execution environments are […]

  • expanded memory

    Also known as EMS (Expanded Memory Specification), expanded memory is a technique for utilizing more than 1MB of main memory in DOS -based computers. The limit of 1MB is built into the DOS operating system. The upper 384K is reserved for special purposes, leaving just 640K of conventional memory for programs. There are several versions […]

  • expansion board

    A printed circuit board that you can insert into a computer to give it added capabilities. For example, all of the following are expansion boards: video adapters graphics accelerators sound cards accelerator boards internal modems Expansion boards for PCs can be half-size (also half-length) or full-size (also full-length). Most PCs have slots for each type […]


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