what is the difference between binary package and source package?

Question

hi,
I have seen many times when I want to install softwares, that there are two versions available for download: 1)Binary package 2)Source package. what is binary package? and what is the difference between binary and source package?

thank you!

Answer 1

Binary is the version that is ready to use. Source code will allow you to modify the program, but it requires additional work (compiling) to make it into a ready to use "binary" program.

Answer 2

A binary package has already had the code compiled.

A source package is the code by itself but you need to compile it.



Usually you can get a bit more efficient of implementation if you compile code for your specific system. This also allows you to fix any bugs and recompile the software if you happen to run across any, or add additional features to your liking.

Answer 3

A binary package is a compiled package which will be ready to run as soon as you install it. A source package is just the source code which you run through a compiler. For example I am writing this on the Seamonkey 2.18 web browser on Slackware. Slackware has the 2.17 web browser available but 2.18 is beta and it's not ready. I downloaded the source code from ftp.mozilla.org and used an (edited) shell script called seamonkey.SlackBuild to compile it for my system.

Answer 4

Binary packages are the compiled code. This is typically the DLL and EXE files used for easy consumption/installation.



Source packages are the raw source code files. These are used by developers if they want to manipulate the product, and then manually compile them to binary files.



Also, source packages may be needed if you are trying to use the product on an unsupported system. This way, you can compile the files yourself to work on your system.

Answer 5

confident you are able to set up Hypertext Preprocessor and MYSQL, to a private pc pc, even even though it would be runing abode windows Server 2000. Hypertext Preprocessor- the finished source code acquire, is Hypertext Preprocessor+ the source(all the coding in the back of it) mutually as abode windows binary is merely this technique itself. in basic terms acquire the source in case your a developer(which your no longer by fact which you do no longer comprehend what it relatively is) its in basic terms a collection of extra stuff which you wont use, or comprehend.