Machine languages are primarily composed of which elements?

Prepare for the KAMSC Sophomore Computer Science Test. Boost your knowledge with flashcards and comprehensive multiple-choice questions. Ace your exam with detailed explanations for each answer!

Machine languages consist primarily of strings of numbers because they are the fundamental language that a computer's central processing unit (CPU) can understand and execute directly. These strings of binary digits (0s and 1s) represent various instructions that the CPU processes, such as arithmetic operations, data movement, and control flow. Each instruction corresponds to a specific operation in the CPU's instruction set architecture.

In contrast, the other elements mentioned, such as words and symbols, are more characteristic of higher-level programming languages, which are designed to be more understandable by humans. Code comments are not part of the machine language as they serve solely for documentation purposes in source code, improving readability for developers without affecting the program's execution. Script lines are typical in scripting languages that still rely on machine code at the execution level but are not synonymous with the underlying machine language itself.

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