Translators and facilities of languages

Question 1

What is machine code?

Answer 1

A low level language composed of binary instructions which can be directly understood by the computer

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of machine code?

Answer 2

Hard to write as it is very error-prone

Hard to understand by humans

Question 3

What is a low level language?

Answer 3

A programming language similar to machine code

Question 4

What is assembly language?

Answer 4

A low level language which uses mnemonics

Question 5

What are the advantages of assembly language?

Answer 5

A lot easier to write and to understand than machine code

Easier to understand by the computer than a high level language

Question 6

What is a disadvantage of assembly language?

Answer 6

It can be difficult to learn

Question 7

What is an example of where assembly language is used?

Answer 7

In embedded systems

Question 8

What is a high level language?

Answer 8

A programming language allowing programmers to code a solution to a problem

Question 9

What are 3 features of a high level language?

Answer 9

It isn’t machine specific
Uses English-like statements
Uses key words
Uses syntax (rules)

Question 10

What is a translator?

Answer 10

A program which converts a high level language or low level language into machine code

Question 11

What are the 3 types of translators?

Answer 11

Assembler
Compiler
Interpreter

Question 12

What is an assembler?

Answer 12

A program which translates assembly language into machine code

Question 13

What is a compiler?

Answer 13

A program which translates high level languages into machine code

Question 14

What is an interpreter?

Answer 14

A program which translates high level languages into machine code one line at a time, executing each as they are translated

Question 15

What are the 2 main features of a compiler?

Answer 15

Creates an executable file which can be used without needing the compiler present
Is quick to run

Question 16

What are the 4 main features of an interpreter?

Answer 16

Translates/executes one line at a time
Is slow to run
Requires the interpreter to be present to execute the program
You can use it to quickly identify problems

Question 17

What is an IDE?

Answer 17

Integrated Development Environment: a software package that provides tools to develop a program or software

Question 18

What facilities does an IDE provide?

Answer 18

Source code editor
Interpreter
Compiler
Automation tools
Debugger