Which of the following refers to the process of converting source code into machine code for execution?

The process of converting source code into machine code for execution is known as compiling. Compiling involves translating the entire code written in a high-level programming language, such as Java, into machine language or bytecode that the computer's processor can understand and execute directly.

Interpreting, on the other hand, involves translating the source code line by line at runtime, rather than creating a standalone machine code file. This is different from compiling, which results in an executable program. Debugging refers to identifying and fixing errors in the code, while linking pertains to combining various pieces of code and libraries into a single executable program. Therefore, the correct term that describes the conversion process to machine code is compiling.