What is machine code?

Machine code is the fundamental language that a computer's processor directly understands and executes. It consists of binary digits, specifically zeros and ones, which represent various instructions that tell the hardware what operations to perform. This low-level programming language is essential because it translates high-level programming languages, which are more human-readable, into a format that the machine can execute without any further translation.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately define machine code. A complex programming language refers to higher-level languages that are more user-friendly and abstract compared to machine code. A text-based representation of programming logic implies a source code format that is readable by humans, which needs to be compiled or interpreted before execution. An advanced user interface suggests a graphical or interactive component designed for user interaction, which is not related to the instruction sets that machine code encompasses. Therefore, understanding that machine code consists solely of binary representations of instructions clarifies its critical role in computing.