Understanding Compilers

What is a compiler?

• A tool that translates programs from one language to another.

• A type of programming language.

• A hardware component.

• A debugging tool.

What are the stages of a compiler?

• Analysis and Synthesis

• Compilation and Execution

• Lexical and Syntax Analysis

• Debugging and Testing

What is the purpose of lexical analysis?

• To convert a stream of characters into tokens.

• To check for semantic errors.

• To generate machine code.

• To optimize code.

What does syntax analysis do?

• Groups tokens using a context-free grammar.

• Detects invalid tokens.

• Generates machine code.

• Checks for semantic errors.

What is the role of semantic analysis?

• Checks for semantic errors in syntactically correct code.

• Constructs the target program.

• Generates intermediate code.

• Optimizes the output.

What is three-address code?

• A common intermediate representation.

• A type of machine code.

• A debugging technique.

• A programming language.

What is the purpose of object code generation?

• Generates machine or assembly code from intermediate representation.

• Optimizes code for specific hardware.

• Checks for syntax errors.

• Creates a symbol table.

What are the essential qualities of effective compilers?

• Code correctness and performance.

• User interface design.

• Network capabilities.

• Data storage.

What is the significance of robust error diagnostics?

• Helps developers quickly identify and fix issues.

• Improves code execution speed.

• Reduces memory usage.

• Enhances user experience.

What does cross-language compatibility allow?

• Integration of components written in different programming languages.

• Faster compilation.

• Better error handling.

• Improved debugging.