COMPUTER SCIENCE

• Assembler


  Converts low-level assembly language to machine code, assigns memory
• Assembly code


  Low-level programming language before conversion to machine code
• Opcode


  Binary representation of an assembly instruction, e.g., AND to 0010
• Operand


  Data manipulated by an instruction, e.g., variable or constant
• Interpreter


  Converts high-level code to machine code line by line for CPU execution
• Compiler


  Converts high-level code to machine code in stages: lexical, syntax, semantic, code generation
• Lexical analysis


  Removes comments/spaces, replaces keywords with tokens, creates symbol table
• Syntax analysis


  Checks tokens for correct spelling/grammar, produces error messages for syntax errors
• Semantic analysis


  Checks variable declaration, data type correctness, legality of operations
• Code generation


  Produces machine code, may optimize code for efficiency
• Translator


  Converts a program from one language to an equivalent in another language
• Syntax error


  Occurs when a command violates the expected language syntax, e.g., misspelling keywords
• Runtime error


  Occurs during program execution, like running out of memory causing a crash
• Logical error


  Results in incorrect program output without crashing, e.g., wrong calculation
• Linking error


  Occurs when a called function lacks the necessary linked library
• Rounding


  Approximating a number to the nearest whole/tenth/hundredth
• Truncation


  Approximating a number to a whole/tenth/hundredth closer to zero
• Integrated Development Environments (IDE)


  Tools for programmers to create computer programs
• Compiler


  Converts source code to executable machine code
• Interpreter


  Converts source code to machine code line by line
• Linker


  Joins compiled code from libraries
• Loader


  Loads compiled code into memory
• Debugger


  Helps identify and fix program errors
• Trace


  Shows program execution order and variable values
• Break point


  Halts program at a line for error checking
• Variable watch


  Displays and monitors variable values
• Memory inspector


  Shows memory contents in a section
• Error diagnostics


  Displays error messages for debugging
• Library


  Collection of common functions and subprograms
• Standard libraries


  Contain tested functions for programmers' use
• Advantages of standard libraries

  Saves time, ensures reliability, easier maintenance
• Custom libraries


  Personalized collections of functions and subprograms
• High level languages

  Programming languages resembling natural human language, easier to understand and program, examples: Basic, Java, Pascal
• Machine code


  Instructions in bit patterns directly executed by CPU, opposite of high level languages
• Low level languages


  Assembly code requiring CPU structure knowledge, mnemonics converted to machine code, not portable but efficient
• Uses of high and low level languages

  High level for common applications, low level for fast execution like device drivers or embedded systems