2.5. Programming Languages and IDEs

• What is machine code?


  A type of low level language written in binary - no translation is needed for the processor to understand.
• What is an advantage of machine code?


  It is directly executable.
• What are some disadvantages of machine code?


  • They are hard to write, read and correct
  • There are different codes for each processor
• What is assembly language?


  Type of low level language where binary codes are replaced by easier to remember mnemonics, such as ADD.
• Does an assembly code require translation?


  Yes, with an assembler - but it is simple, as each line becomes 1 binary instruction.
• What are the advantages of assembly?


  • They are easier to remember than binary codes
  • They can directly control and be specific to hardware
  • Fast to translate
• What are the disadvantages of assembly?


  • They lack complex instructions
  • Long programs are needed to do simple things
  • Different code needed for each processor
• What is an example of a language that is an assembly language?


  Assembly language.
• What is a high level language?


  Code written in natural language or normal English - compilers or interpreters are needed as each line becomes many binary instructions.
• What are some examples of high level programming languages?


  Visual basics, python, java, C#, and more.
• What are the advantages of high level programming languages?


  • Easy as they are close to natural languages
  • Can do lots of things
  • Same code for every processor
• What is a disadvantage of high level programming languages?


  • Translation is difficult
• What is a compiler?


  A translator that translates the whole code then runs it - it lists all errors at the end - translation is only done once, and creates an executable.
• How fast are compilers?


  They are slow to start running, as they must translate the whole code, but quick to run afterwards as executable files never need to be translated again.
• How may compilers be used?


  Distributing finished programs
• Are compilers secure?


  Yes - you don't give out source code.
• What is an interpreter?


  A translator that translates code one line at a time and runs it - it stops at the first error and no executable is created.
• How fast are interpreters?


  Quick to start but slow as you have to translate everytime the program is ran.
• Are interpreters secure?


  No - source code must be given.
• What is a use of interpreters?


  For program testing.
• What is a source code?


  The original code written by the programmer.
• What is an object code?


  Code that has been translated.
• What does IDE stand for?


  Integrated development environment.
• What are IDEs?


  Programs where you write code with features that help the programmer.
• What is an editor in an IDE?


  Place where you write the code - allows errors to be fixed.
• Run time environments in IDEs


  Allow codes to be ran, showing the output of the code.
• Translators in IDEs


  Translate the code to machine code so that it can be run and tested.
• What does error diagnostic do?

  Lists errors, giving their location and a description.
• Breakpoints in IDEs


  Stops the code executing at a set line so the value of variables can be checked.
• What is stepping?


  Running the code one line at a time to see what it is doing.
• What is keyword highlighting?


  Keywords and variables written in a set colour so they can easily be seen.
• What is keyword completion?


  Suggesting code when the first part is typed in.