Which statement about executable and data files is true?

Which statement about executable and data files is true?

• A. Executable files cannot be opened and read, whereas data files can.
• B. Executable files are identical to data files in readability.
• C. Data files cannot be opened, while executable files can.
• D. Executable files always contain text data.

Answer: (A)

Executable files are meant to contain machine code that a computer runs, while data files store information for programs to use. Because they encode instructions in binary, executables aren’t designed to be read as ordinary text; opening one in a regular text editor usually shows gibberish. Data files, by contrast, are created to be opened and read by programs (and sometimes by people if they’re text data). So the statement that executable files cannot be opened and read, whereas data files can, captures this practical distinction. The other options misstate readability or what executables contain (for example, they don’t have to be plain text, and data files can indeed be opened).

Executable files are meant to contain machine code that a computer runs, while data files store information for programs to use. Because they encode instructions in binary, executables aren’t designed to be read as ordinary text; opening one in a regular text editor usually shows gibberish. Data files, by contrast, are created to be opened and read by programs (and sometimes by people if they’re text data). So the statement that executable files cannot be opened and read, whereas data files can, captures this practical distinction. The other options misstate readability or what executables contain (for example, they don’t have to be plain text, and data files can indeed be opened).