Overhead code

Overhead code is the additional (or excess) object code generated by a compiler to provide machine code which will be executed by a specific CPU. This code includes translations of generic instructions listed in cross-platform code, and is tailored for execution on a specific platform or architecture. An example of overhead code would be code generated to handle reference counting, while source code written in a high level language is an example cross-platform code. Overhead code is the additional (or excess) object code generated by a compiler to provide machine code which will be executed by a specific CPU. This code includes translations of generic instructions listed in cross-platform code, and is tailored for execution on a specific platform or architecture. An example of overhead code would be code generated to handle reference counting, while source code written in a high level language is an example cross-platform code.