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What does object code represent?

  1. The original source code

  2. The output of a translator in executable machine code

  3. The compiled high-level code

  4. The debugging information

The correct answer is: The output of a translator in executable machine code

Object code is a form of output generated by a translator, such as a compiler or an assembler, which translates high-level programming language code or assembly language into machine code. This machine code is composed of binary instructions that can be executed directly by a computer's CPU. When a programmer writes source code in a high-level language, the code is too abstract for the computer to understand. The translator processes this high-level code, converting it into object code. The object code is typically not fully executable by itself, as it may still need to be linked with other object code files and libraries to create a complete executable program. This option accurately captures the essence of object code as it highlights the transformation from high-level instructions to a format that the machine can execute, reinforcing the role of translators in software development.