What do we call the file that results from successfully compiling source code, translated into machine language?

The file that results from successfully compiling source code and is translated into machine language is referred to as an executable file. When a programmer writes source code in a high-level programming language, it needs to be converted into machine code, which the computer's processor can execute. The compilation process involves translating the source code into a format that is suitable for the machine to run, and the final output of this process is the executable file.

Executable files typically have specific extensions like .exe on Windows or no extension on UNIX-like systems, depending on the operating system. These files contain the necessary machine code and can be run directly by the operating system, causing the instructions coded by the programmer to be executed.

In contrast, other file types like library files and object files serve different purposes. Library files contain reusable code that can be used by other programs, while object files are intermediate files generated during the compilation process that still require linking before they can become executable. Source code files, on the other hand, are the original files written by the programmer in a high-level language.