programming language translators

• What is the role of an assembler?

  Translates assembly code into machine code
• How does a compiler differ from an interpreter?

  A compiler translates the whole program at once
• When is it appropriate to use a compiler?

  When the entire program needs to be executed
• Why is bytecode produced by some compilers?

  It serves as an intermediate step to machine code
• What are the stages of compilation?

  Lexical analysis, syntax analysis, code generation, optimisation
• What is the function of linkers in compilation?

  They link libraries to the executable code
• What does a loader do?

  Copies the program into main memory for execution
• What is assembly code?

  A low-level language easier than machine code
• Why is machine code difficult for humans?

  It is hard to read, write, and debug
• What is the output of a compiler called?

  Object code
• What is the purpose of lexical analysis?

  To remove unnecessary spaces and comments
• What does a symbol table do?

  Tracks run-time memory addresses for identifiers
• What is syntax analysis responsible for?

  Checking phrases against language rules
• What is semantic analysis?

  Checks for valid program logic despite valid syntax
• What is code generation?

  Creating machine code from checked source code
• What is code optimisation?

  Improving code efficiency by removing redundancies
• What are libraries in programming?

  Pre-written functions for common tasks
• How does a linker work with libraries?

  It adjusts memory addresses for library functions
• What happens during the loading process?

  The loader relocates memory addresses for execution
• What are the advantages of using a compiler?

  • Faster execution of programs
  • Executable code does not require an interpreter
  • Can run multiple times without recompilation
• What are the advantages of using an interpreter?

  • Easier debugging of code
  • Immediate execution of code
  • No need to recompile for small errors
• What are the stages of compilation in detail?

  1. Lexical analysis: Remove spaces/comments, create tokens
  2. Syntax analysis: Check phrases against language rules
  3. Semantic analysis: Validate program logic
  4. Code generation: Generate machine code
  5. Code optimisation: Improve efficiency
• What is the process of converting source code to executable code?

  • Source code is lexed
  • Syntactically and semantically analysed
  • Optimised for efficiency
  • Executable code is generated
• What is the role of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM)?

  • Interprets bytecode produced by Java compilers
  • Allows Java programs to run on any machine
• What are the disadvantages of code optimisation?

  • May complicate debugging
  • Can lead to less readable code
  • Might introduce new errors
• What are the types of programming languages based on translation methods?

  • Compiled languages: Translated entirely before execution
  • Interpreted languages: Translated line by line during execution
  • Hybrid languages: Use both compilation and interpretation
• What is the significance of syntax rules in programming languages?

  • Define valid structures for code
  • Help in error detection during compilation
• What is the purpose of a symbol table in compilation?

  • Keeps track of identifiers and their memory addresses
  • Aids in semantic analysis and code generation
• What are the common types of libraries used in programming?

  • Standard libraries: Pre-written functions for common tasks
  • Custom libraries: Functions written by programmers for specific needs
• What is the difference between high-level and low-level languages?

  • High-level languages: Easier for humans to read and write
  • Low-level languages: Closer to machine code, harder for humans
• What is the role of the lexer in compilation?

  • Converts source code into tokens
  • Removes unnecessary elements like spaces and comments
• What is the importance of semantic analysis in compilation?

  • Ensures that the program logic is valid
  • Detects errors that are syntactically correct but semantically incorrect
• What is the function of the loader in the execution process?

  • Loads the executable code into memory
  • Adjusts memory addresses for execution