GCSE - IDE and Translators

Any program written in a ​ (a)   language (such as Python or Java) is known as ​ (b)   . However, computers cannot understand this. Before it can be run, ​ (c)   must first be translated into a form which a computer understands - this form is called object code.

A ​ (d)   is a program that converts source code into object code. Generally, there are three types:

• * ​ (e)  

• * interpreters

• * assemblers

• high-level
• source code
• translator
• compilers

​ (a)   programming languages are user-friendly, abstracting complex hardware details to boost developer productivity and software portability. However, their abstraction leads to slower execution and less hardware control.

​ (b)   languages, in contrast, provide fast performance and ​ (c)   , ideal for ​ (d)   . Yet, they demand more expertise, carry a higher risk of ​ (e)   , and are less portable, requiring a thorough understanding of the underlying system architecture.

• High-level
• Low-level
• deep hardware control
• system-critical applications
• bugs

Label the following diagram correctly

c

d

e

Machine code

High level language

Computer's own language

Binary numbers (All 1s and 0s)

Interpreter

Easy for programmer to understand

Organise these options into the right categories

Groups:

(a) Compilers

,

(b) Interpreters

• 1. Translates code one instruction at a time.

• 1. Translates all source code to object code at once.

• 1. Source code must be distributed.

• 1. Runs slower due to on-the-fly translation.

• 1. Requires significant memory for compilation.

• 1. Produced programs run quickly.

• 1. Errors detected after compilation.

• 1. Needs translation every run.

• 1. Compiled code is platform-specific.

• 1. Code must be recompiled for changes.

• 1. Quick error detection during execution.

• 1. Doesn't produce executable files.

• 1. Executes instructions immediately.

• 1. Optimises code for speed and memory.

• 1. Generates executable files.

• 1. Does not optimise code.

What does IDE stand for?

Match the following

• Runtime Environments

• 1. Special software that allows programs to run on computers for which they weren't specifically designed, creating a virtual machine to emulate different computer systems, facilitating the development of programs across different platforms.

• Editors

• 1. Software that provides a space for programmers to write and edit code, often equipped with features like automatic line numbering, colour coding, and auto-suggestions, but not typically designed to identify errors.

• Debugging Tools

• 1. Tools that assist in the identification and resolution of programming errors by allowing the examination of variable values and program conditions at specific points during execution, and highlighting syntax errors or the exact locations of errors in the code.

Label the following elements of an IDE

b

Variable tracing

Run-time environment

• Colour coding

Debugger

Label the following elements of an IDE

a

c

e

• Auto-indent

Error diagnostics

Debugger

• Automatic line numbering

Variable tracing

Run-time environment

Label the following elements of an IDE

a

b

c

d

Debugger

Editor

Variable tracing

Run-time environment