N5S3 - Comp Systems - Translators

Question 1

Describe the role of a Translator

Answer 1

Ensures the code is executable (in binary form for the processor to handle) because processors cannot understand the English-like instructions used by programmers when coding in high level languages.

Question 2

State the two types of translator

Answer 2

Compiler and Interpreter

Question 3

Describe the role of a Compiler

Answer 3

Translates source code into object code. Object code is held in a new file and does not need to use translator software to run.

Question 4

List 4 features of a compiler

Answer 4

• translates lines one after another but does not execute immediately after translation.
• once created, object code can run independently of development environment and translator software
• if the object code file contains errors, the program will crash or cause unexpected output.
• compiler is only held in RAM for the time that it takes to translate source code into object code

Question 5

Describe the role of an Interpreter

Answer 5

They translate source code directly into machine code. The translator runs throughout this translation and execution process.

Question 6

List 4 features of an Interpreter

Answer 6

• source code is translated to machine code one at a time
• software is present in main memory during each execution of program and execution of every line
• execution will stop immediately if the interpreter translates a line of source code that results in an error
• cannot determine the actual error but can indicate the line that was not translated into executable machine code