How to explain to a non-technical person what source code is in a few words?

Posted by marcusw on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by marcusw
Published on 2010-05-19T15:59:27Z Indexed on 2010/05/19 16:00 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 277

Filed under:

non-technical

|

open-source

|

source-code

I'm writing a bit of open-source propaganda and I need to explain what source code is to a non-technical audience in ten words or less without them losing interest. I've tried things relating to recipes and the like but I'm not an English major so I'm having a really hard time with this. Any ideas?

© Stack Overflow or respective owner

Related posts about non-technical

Search Engine Optimization - The Non Technical Way to Get Higher Rankings For Your Site

as seen on Ezine Articles - Search for 'Ezine Articles'
The problem that most people have with getting higher search engine rankings is the fact that they are worried about all the technical things they have to do and know. In this article I want to show you how to get rankings for your site without knowing a lot about technology. >>> More
Top ten security tips for non-technical users

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I'm giving a presentation later this week to the staff at the company where I work. The goal of the presentation is to serve as a refresher/remidner of good practices that can help keep our network secure. The audience is made up of both programmers and non-technical staff, so the presentation is… >>> More
Top ten security tips for non-technical users

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I'm giving a presentation later this week to the staff at the company where I work. The goal of the presentation is to serve as a refresher/remidner of good practices that can help keep our network secure. The audience is made up of both programmers and non-technical staff, so the presentation is… >>> More
Idea for a user friendly/non technical RAD tool for performing queries and reports on Database

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I am investigating for a tool that allows a user to perform in a user friendly way queries to database for extracting datas and creating reports. Primary requirement is that we can't know queries users are going to do. So we need to design a flexible UI allowing them to specify in a non technical… >>> More
Building an *efficient* if/then interface for non-technical users to build flow-control in PHP

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I am currently building an internal tool to be used by our management to control the flow of traffic. I have built an if/then interface allowing the user to set conditions for certain outcomes, however it is inefficient to use the switch statement to control the flow. How can I improve the efficiency… >>> More

Related posts about open-source

Introducing Java/Open Source Daily, All the Java/Open Source Information You Need in One Newsletter

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
Internet.com launches a new daily newsletter to provide one-stop coverage of all the Java and Open Source information that matters to you. >>> More
Introducing Java/Open Source Daily, All the Java/Open Source Information You Need in One Newsletter

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
Internet.com launches a new daily newsletter to provide one-stop coverage of all the Java and Open Source information that matters to you. >>> More
The Open Source Open Source Conference

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
Portland, OR open source advocates took the loss of OSCON in stride: They launched their own open source conference. How did it stack up against the heavyweight, top-down competition? >>> More
Open Source: Open Source Contributions

as seen on Oracle Technology Network - Search for 'Oracle Technology Network'
Oracle investments in Linux yield substantial returns. >>> More
What are the strategies to become a good open source developer?

as seen on Programmers - Search for 'Programmers'
I always hear that involving with open source projects is good for career and the more (good) open source you release, the closer you will be to getting your dream job before you've even had an interview.I am expert in Java and I am trying to become fluent in Scala. I always think about getting involved… >>> More