5.2 Language Translators

Language Translators (page 149)

The purpose of a translator for high-level programming languages is to convert human-readably code into machine executable code.

Language Translators

• Assembler: Assembly language -> Machine code.

• Compiler: Creates an object program to be execute.

• Interpreter: Goes line by line translating and executing, it does not create an object program.

Assembler

• Very fast due to its closeness to the machine code.

• Machine dependent

• Generates a object program.

• Very complex at the same time that you have more control of the resources.

• One to one translation to machine code.

Interpreter

• Read one line at a time and execute that line without needing to create an object program. Example: python.

Compiler

• Creates a object program that can be execute.

• Before the compiler creates the executable or the object program it check for errors.

• If it find any errors the compiler will not create the object program it will list all the errors for the developer to solve them.

• If the compiler does not find errors will create the object program that can be execute.

Categorize

Options (6)

The developer retains the source code.

End users cannot modify or extend it.

The developer can charge for updates and changes.

End users have access to the source code.

Makes it harder to charge for updates.

Users may use or modify the developer’s code.

Organize characteristics of a compiler and a interpreter.

Compiler

Interpreter

Multiple Select

Select the correct reasons why it is easier to debug the program code using an interpreter instead of a compiler.

• The code can be tested multiple times without having to recompile.

• The interpreter will be stop when an error is found.

• The errors can be corrected in real time.

• Only one error is display at a time.

• Creates an executable file.

Multiple Select

Select the benefits of using the compiler during testing.

• The code can be tested multiple times without having to recompile.

• The interpreter will be stop when an error is found.

• The errors can be corrected in real time.

• Only one error is display at a time.

• Creates an executable file.

Partial compiling and interpreting

Some programming languages like Java make use of other way of translation.

For example Java uses a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that convert the Java code into Java bytecode.

So any computer that has the JVM install in its software can execute Java programs.

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is software providing tools like code editor, debugger, and compiler for efficient program development.

Pretty Printing: Formatting code or output with proper structure, indentation, and optionally colors, to improve readability and debugging.

Context-Sensitive Prompt: Shows suggestions and labels that could be use at the current position of the program.

Auto-correct: Corrects or mark spelling mistakes so that the users has less errors to correct.

Dynamic syntax checks.

Expanding and collapsing code blocks.

Debugging with the debugger. Help us to identify errors. By allowing to add breakpoints and going through the program one step at at time.

Syntax errors and Logic errors

Categorize

Options (6)

Context-sensitive prompts

Auto-correct

Pretty-printing

Expand/collapse code blocks

Single stepping

Breakpoints

Organize these IDE features into the right purpose.

For coding

For presantation

For debugging