2.5 - Languages and IDEs

• A high level language is a language which is used to write programs and needs to be translated into machine code in order to be used.
• A low level language is a language which closely represents machine code, they are more difficult to understand but execute quicker.
• High Level Languages are:

  • Hardware independent (can be compiled for any system)
  • Easier to read, write, learn or understand
  • Close to the written language of the programmer
  • E.g. Python, Java, C++
• Low Level Languages:

  • Faster to execute than high level languages
  • More difficult to read, write, learn and understand
  • Typically hardware specific
  • Limited number of commands
  • E.g. Machine Code, Assembly
• The 2 types of translator are:

  • Compiler
  • Interpreter
• Compiler:

  • Translates whole program in one go to produce object code
  • Compiled program executes faster as it is already in machine code
  • Produces an executable file so original code doesn't need to be compiled again
  • No need for compiler to be present when program is run
• Interpreter:

  • Translates and executes one line at a time
  • Takes more time to execute as each instruction is translated before it is executed
  • Original code will be interpreted or translated each time that it is run
  • Interpreter must be installed in order to run the program
• Integrated development environment (IDE) tools:

  • Editors
  • Run-time environments
  • Error diagnostics
  • Translators
• Editor:

  • Enables programmers to write and edit their code
  • Syntax completion functions offer to complete or suggest code
  • Keyword highlighting to make the code easier to read
  • Indentation to add structure to the code
• Runtime Environment:

  • Enables a program to be run
  • Checks for runtime errors
  • Other testing can be carried out
• Translator (IDE):

  • Will use either a compiler or an interpreter to translate high level code into machine code
• Error Diagnostics:

  • Translators highlight syntax errors in code
  • Breakpoints can be used to pause the program at a certain point
  • Watch window used o display value of specific variables
  • Stepping enables programmer to step through line by line to monitor changes in values