Overhead code
It is proposed that this article be deleted because of the following concern:
If you can address this concern by improving, copyediting, sourcing, renaming, or merging the page, please edit this page and do so. You may remove this message if you improve the article or otherwise object to deletion for any reason. Although not required, you are encouraged to explain why you object to the deletion, either in your edit summary or on the talk page. If this template is removed, do not replace it. This message has remained in place for seven days, so the article may be deleted without further notice. Find sources: "Overhead code" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR Nominator: Please consider notifying the author/project: {{subst:proposed deletion notify|Overhead code|concern=Non-standard term with no supporting references in 13+ years of the article's existence.}} ~~~~ Timestamp: 20200731205628 20:56, 31 July 2020 (UTC) Administrators: delete |
Overhead code is the additional (or excess) object code generated by a compiler to provide machine code which will be executed by a specific CPU. This code includes translations of generic instructions listed in cross-platform code, and is tailored for execution on a specific platform or architecture. An example of overhead code would be code generated to handle reference counting, while source code written in a high level language is an example cross-platform code.
Analogy
The coverage area of a standalone house is more than the space taken by enclosures. Similarly, overhead code is the part of the program which is not listed in the source code. However, it is needed for the software to operate properly.