2.5 Programming languages and translators

Define what is meant by a 'high-level programming language'

• A language read by the CPU that uses 0s and 1s

• A language like Python that uses language close to that used by humans.

• A language that uses mnemoics such as LOAD, ADD and STORE

Define what is meant by a 'low-level' language or machine code

• A language read by the CPU that uses 0s and 1s

• A language like Python that uses language close to that used by humans.

• A language that uses mnemoics such as LOAD, ADD and STORE

Why were high level programming languages like Python invented?

• Faster to program than using binary

• No need to remember mnemonic instructions

• Writing 0s and 1s is easy for humans

Describe the purpose of a translator

• To convert a high-level language into a low-level language, to be read by the CPU.

• Converts programs written in a high-level language into machine code instructions.

Describe the purpose of compilers

• To convert a high-level language into a low-level language, to be read by the CPU.

• Converts programs written in a high-level language into machine code instructions, all in one go

• Converts source code into machine code instructions and execute those instructions immediately, line by line.

Describe the purpose of interpreters

• To convert a high-level language into a low-level language, to be read by the CPU.

• Converts programs written in a high-level language into machine code instructions.

• Converts source code into machine code instructions and execute those instructions immediately, line by line.

Describe an advantage of a compiler

• It is fast as it translates all source code in one go

• Any errors are reported at the end of each line as it is translated which helps error checking

Describe an advantage of an interpreter

• It is fast as it translates all source code in one go

• Any errors are reported at the end of each line as it is translated which helps error checking

Describe a disadvantage of a compiler

• Slow as every line has to be translated one instruction or line at a time.

• More difficult to find the error as the error is not identified line by line, but at the end.

Describe a disadvantage of a translator

• Slow as every line has to be translated one instruction or line at a time.

• More difficult to find the error as the error is not identified line by line.