General > General Technical Chat
Why do people call an executable file (.exe) a binary file?
Siwastaja:
Plain-text scripts (.sh, for example), are also executable. Heck, on Unix-like systems, they are literally "executable", because the flag called "executable" ('x') needs to be set. So here, "executable" is an actual technical term so your "solution" may actually add confusion instead of clearing something up.
"Binaries" can be driver modules, which are not executable files, you can't run the files, but they include binary, i.e. non-human-interpretable machine code that can be executed as a part of larger system.
Programmers and developers talk about "binaries" to make a clear distinction to source code.
Computer systems are complex; words and human language are even more complex. Drop the arrogance and pick your fights wisely, and you may actually learn a thing or two.
Especially damaging to your learning is getting fixated on small language details. Language is always sub-optimal because it carries a legacy of being developed by people discussing with each other. It's a system which has no designer.
I'm not against improving the language, but, are you really improving things here?
There are literally tens of thousands of suboptimal terms in use, you can't "fix" them all. Pick those which are actually very confusing, and pay close attention how to fix them properly, be careful not to increase the level of confusion. Replacing expressions with better ones is harder than you think.
I see absolutely no problem with word "binary" and how it is used. You will find much more problematic expressions that are actually confusing. When faced with such expressions, lead with example by coming up with a really intuitive substitute.
Brumby:
--- Quote from: LeoTech on April 25, 2020, 10:47:11 am ---Because if not, let's try to stop that misconception. And just call the exectables, which in my mind is a far more correct and usefull name.
--- End quote ---
The key phrase: "in my mind".
The world has grown with the current usage for decades. It is not going to change for you. Doing so would add confusion of a magnitude you could not imagine. The easiest way to proceed is for you to "get with the programme". The only problem being whether you are able to accept that.
BravoV:
--- Quote from: Brumby on April 25, 2020, 01:44:05 pm ---
--- Quote from: LeoTech on April 25, 2020, 10:47:11 am ---Because if not, let's try to stop that misconception. And just call the exectables, which in my mind is a far more correct and usefull name.
--- End quote ---
The key phrase: "in my mind".
The world has grown with the current usage for decades. It is not going to change for you. Doing so would add confusion of a magnitude you could not imagine. The easiest way to proceed is for you to "get with the programme". The only problem being whether you are able to accept that.
--- End quote ---
C'mon, we had experienced young age as I believe most posters here, its all about the annoying period (sometimes) of desperately getting recognition or at least approval from someones on own ego.
Once this thread sinks into the abyss and forgotten, should someday in the long future when the OP reads or remembers this topic again, probably that will be a blushing moment for self. :-DD
LeoTech:
To bad we ain't a group of pshycoogists. This would be one hell of a case study in human behavior. From both sides I might add. You guys might be veterans filled with experiences, but are very narrow minded and quick to jump to conclusions about others - especially stereotypes and prejudies - as am I.
Just one last remark, stop the name-calling for crying out loud, stop calling me a child, entitled and attention-seeking while at the same time conducting a discussion like someone half my age.
Close the thread, nobody is gaining anything from this except lots of self-validation by putting down others and verifying their own tunnel-vision. Which admittedly goes for me as well.
SiliconWizard:
Looks like confinement may have some bad psychological consequences for some of us... ::)
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