A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Source code is the language used by computer programmers to create a program. It is the non-machine language that humans can read and write. It is protected by trade-secret laws, copyright, and patent laws. If it is not included with the software sold to the public, it is kept secret. Source code may be deposited with the U.S. Copyright Office, but some parts may be blacked out to protect trade secrets.

Example: When a programmer writes a program, they use source code to create it. The source code is then compiled into object code, which is the machine language that the computer can understand and execute. For example, a programmer might write source code to create a game like Minecraft. The source code would include instructions for how the game should work, what the graphics should look like, and how the player should interact with the game.

Example: Another example of source code is the HTML code used to create web pages. HTML is a markup language that tells web browsers how to display content on a web page. When a web developer writes HTML code, they are creating the source code for the web page. The source code includes instructions for how the page should look, what text and images should be displayed, and how the page should be structured.

These examples illustrate how source code is used to create software and web pages. Without source code, programmers and web developers would not be able to create the programs and websites that we use every day.