Executive orders differ from normal legislation primarily in their origin and binding authority. While legislation requires approval from Congress and must pass through both the House and Senate before being signed into law, executive orders are issued directly by the President and can be enacted unilaterally. They are used to direct government operations, clarify existing laws, or manage federal agencies. However, executive orders can be reviewed by the courts, and their scope is limited by existing laws, making them less enduring than formally passed legislation.