Execute and execution are terms that describe the process of running a computer software program, script, or command. For example, each time you open your Internet browser, you are executing the program. In Windows to execute a program, double-click the executable file or double-click the shortcut icon pointing to the executable file. If you have a hard time double-clicking an icon, click the icon once to highlight it and then press Enter on the keyboard.

What happens when a file is executed?

When executed, a command, program, or script runs multiple instructions that tell the computer how to operate. What the computer does depends on these instructions. For example, one program may tell the computer to draw a circle, and a different program may tell the computer to draw a square.

Exec, Executable file, Go, Launch, Open, Parallel execution, Run, Software terms

  • How to run a file from MS-DOS.
  • How to run .sh in Linux.
  • How to run a computer software program.