What do you call a file containing a program written in a high-level programming language?

A file containing a program written in a high-level programming language is referred to as a source file. It typically contains human-readable code that is written in a language such as Python, Java, or C++. The significance of source files lies in their role as the primary input for a compiler or interpreter, which translates the high-level code into machine-executable formats.

When programmers write code, they save it in source files so that it can be modified and read easily. The source code provides the foundational logic and operations that the program will execute.

While script files can also contain high-level code and are often associated with scripting languages, the term "source file" is more inclusive and widely recognized in programming contexts. Binary files and object files pertain to compiled programs or data rather than the original human-readable code, thus distinguishing them from source files.