Understanding Machine Code vs. Bytecode

[Julio Franco]

In software engineering, code transforms from human-readable high-level languages like Python or Java into machine-readable binary (machine code). An intermediate step, bytecode, bridges portability and execution.

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Understanding Machine Code vs. Bytecode

 

[mbk34]

My introduction to computers was 6502 machine code programming. I was only 14 but a PHD student we had living with us gave me a quick introduction and then handed me the manual. The computer was an Acorn System 1 made of 2 circuit boards, a hex keypad and an LED calculator style display. I remember programming it to play OXO and Othello. That was 47 years ago. I've been hooked ever since.

 

[VectorVortec]

Humans can read machine code; I programmed in machine code for years. Then I used a reverse assembler to get to assembly (for documentation). Many of the early computers didn't have an assembler (or a keyboard interface - for that matter - think toggle switches), so machine code was the only option.

 

[spottedme]

Just to add, bytecode really helps with portability since it can run on any platform with the right interpreter. It’s like a nice middle ground between high-level languages and machine code.