Noun
p-code (uncountable)
(programming) A very low-level code that is machine-independent and enables a compiled file to be run on different processor types.
Most implementations of the Pascal programming language employed a p-code system to achieve a greater level of machine independence.
For example, Apple Computer offered a Fortran Compiler citation (written by Silicon Valley Software, Sunnyvale California) producing p-code that ran on the Apple version of the p-system. Source: Internet
In addition to being an intermediate language, Pascal p-code was also executed directly by an interpreter implementing the virtual machine, notably in UCSD Pascal (1978); this influenced later interpreters, notably the Java virtual machine (JVM). Source: Internet
Programs that have been translated to p-code can either be interpreted by a software program that emulates the behavior of the hypothetical CPU, or translated into the machine code of the CPU on which the program is to run and then executed. Source: Internet
Did not sell well due to combination of their pricing structure, performance problems due to p-code interpreter, and competition with native operating systems (on top of which it often ran). Source: Internet
Each revision was represented with a leading Roman Numeral, while operating system revisions were enumerated as the "dot" number following the p-code Roman Numeral. Source: Internet
In the early 1980s, at least two operating systems achieved machine independence through extensive use of p-code. Source: Internet