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Nathan Merrill
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#There's no difference between source code and machine code

We seem to be using "Machine code" in various different ways, so I'll cover them all:

If "Machine code" means

  • The x86 assembly language:
    • There's no fundamental difference between x86 and other languages. It is written using bytes, and has an interpreter (the processor)
  • Code written using a hex editor:
    • A hex editor is very similar to a code page. It maps the character "F" into the byte "1111". If we disallowed code written in hex, how do we justify code pages?
  • Computer-generated code:
    • Trying to disallow this would be a nightmare. Should we disallow Javascript because Typescript compiles to it? What about auto-golfing programs?
    • Regardless, we require that submissions to show effort. If you've simply posted a .class file without any attempts to make it shorter, then your post is candidate for deletion.
Nathan Merrill
  • 14.5k
  • 33
  • 63