What is a source file?

A source file is a computer file that contains programming code written in a high-level programming language. Source files are typically created by software developers to write and edit source code for a specific program or application.

Source files are usually saved with a file extension that corresponds to the programming language being used, such as .c for C, .java for Java, .py for Python, etc. These files can be opened and edited using a text editor or integrated development environment (IDE).

Source files are the starting point of the software development process. They contain the instructions and logic that make up the program, and are used as input to a compiler or interpreter to translate the code into machine-readable form. This compiled or interpreted code can then be executed to run the program.

Source files are often organized into modules or classes, with each file representing a separate component of the program. Developers can create multiple source files and link them together to build complex applications. Additionally, source files may include comments, documentation, and annotations to explain the code and make it more readable and maintainable.