Definition

1. Noun:
   • A set of instructions coded so that the computer can use it directly without further translation: This is the lowest-level programming language, consisting of binary code (ones and zeros) or hexadecimal code that a computer's central processing unit (CPU) can execute immediately.
   • A programming language designed for use on a specific class of computers: It refers to the native, fundamental instruction set unique to a particular computer's hardware architecture.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Writing programs directly in machine language is extremely difficult and error-prone for humans.
  • The compiler translates the high-level code into machine language that the processor understands.
  • Early programmers had to code using machine language, inputting long sequences of binary numbers.

Advanced Usage

• "To program in machine language": To write software using the fundamental binary/hexadecimal instruction set of a processor.
  • Very few modern software developers need to program in machine language.
• "Machine language instruction": A single, basic command in binary form that a CPU can execute.
  • Each machine language instruction performs a very simple operation, like adding two numbers.

Variants and Related Words

• Machine code (n): A direct synonym for machine language. It emphasizes the code as a sequence of instructions.
  • The assembler produces machine code from assembly language.
• Assembly language (n): A low-level programming language that uses symbolic names and codes (mnemonics) as a human-readable representation of machine language instructions. It requires an assembler to translate it into machine language.
  • Assembly language is one step more abstract than machine language.

Synonyms

• Native code: Code that is already in the machine language of the target processor and can run directly.
• Object code: The output from a compiler or assembler, often in machine language, ready to be executed or linked.

Related Phrases

• "To execute machine language": For a CPU to carry out the instructions contained in machine language.
  • The CPU fetches and executes machine language instructions from memory.

Noun

1. a set of instructions coded so that the computer can use it directly without further translation
2. a programming language designed for use on a specific class of computers