Translator Recap

What is a Compiler? What does it produce?

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Answer explanation

A compiler is a program that translates source code written in a programming language into machine code or intermediate code. It produces an executable file or object code that can be run by a computer.

What is an Interpreter? How does it work?

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Answer explanation

An interpreter is a program that executes code line by line. It reads the source code, translates it into machine code, and runs it immediately, allowing for interactive debugging and testing.

What is an Assembler? What does it translate?

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Answer explanation

An assembler is a tool that translates assembly language, a low-level programming language, into machine code, which is the binary code that a computer's processor can execute.

Match each Term with its correct Definition/Explanation

• Debugger

• A tool within an IDE used to find errors by executing code step-by-step and inspecting variable values.

• IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

• A feature in code editors that displays different parts of the code (keywords, comments, strings) in different colours for better readability.

• Syntax Highlighting

• A software application that combines tools like a code editor, debugger, and compiler/interpreter interface for software development.

• Class

• In OOP, this serves as a template or blueprint for creating objects, defining their attributes and methods.

Match each Term with its correct Definition/Explanation

• Mark-up Language

• A fundamental style of programming based on sequences of instructions organised into functions or procedures.

• Event-Driven Paradigm

• A style of programming based on creating 'objects' which contain both data (attributes) and functions (methods), using blueprints called classes.

• Object-Oriented Paradigm (OOP)

• A style of programming where the flow of the program is determined by user actions (like clicks or key presses) or other occurrences.

• Procedural Paradigm

• A system that uses tags to describe the structure or presentation of text content, often used for web pages or data description (e.g., HTML, XML).

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is essentially just an advanced text editor for writing code.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) offers more than just text editing; it includes features like debugging, code completion, and project management, making the statement false.

Syntax highlighting is an IDE feature that changes the colour of code elements primarily to improve program execution speed.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is false because syntax highlighting is designed to enhance code readability and comprehension, not to improve program execution speed.

Using the 'Debug' tool in an IDE will automatically find and correct all logical errors in your code.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is false because the 'Debug' tool helps identify issues but does not automatically correct logical errors. Developers must analyze and fix these errors manually.

Which statement best describes an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)?

• It's a type of programming language like Visual Basic.

• It's a software suite providing tools like an editor, debugger, and build automation.

• It's simply a text editor used only for writing code comments.

• It's a hardware device required to connect a computer to the internet.

Answer explanation

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a software suite that provides essential tools for developers, including an editor for writing code, a debugger for testing, and build automation to streamline the development process.

What is the main function of the 'debugger' component within an IDE?

• To automatically correct syntax errors as you type.

• To translate the source code into machine code.

• To help programmers find and diagnose runtime errors by controlling execution.

• To optimise the code to make it run faster.

Answer explanation

The 'debugger' component in an IDE is designed to help programmers find and diagnose runtime errors by controlling the execution of the program, allowing them to inspect variables and step through code.