2.5 Flashcards

1
Q

What is a compiler? (2)

A
  • Translates source code from high level languages into object code then into machine code
  • Whole program is translated into machine code before run
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2
Q

What are the advantages of a compiler? (4)

A
  • No need for translation software at run-time
  • Faster execution speed
  • Code is optimised
  • Source code is secret
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3
Q

What are the disadvantages of a compiler? (3)

A
  • Will not run with syntax errors (hard to debug)
  • Code needs to be recompiled when the code is changed
  • Designed for a specific type of processor
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4
Q

What is an interpreter? (2)

A
  • Translates source code from high-level languages into machine code
  • Translated line by line as the program is running
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5
Q

What are the advantages of an interpreter? (3)

A
  • Easy to write source code, program will always run, until it finds a syntax error
  • Code does not need to be recompiled when code is changed, easy to try out commands when the program has paused after finding an error
  • Interpreted languages are easy for beginners to learn to write code
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6
Q

What are the disadvantages of an interpreter? (4)

A
  • Translation software is needed at run-time
  • Slower execution speed
  • Code is not optimised
  • Source code is needed
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7
Q

What is a high level language? (9)

A
  • Source code is aimed at humans
  • Structure and syntax similar to English
  • Must be translated to machine code by a compiler/interpreter
  • Works on different types of processors
  • Easy to write and understand code
  • Less memory efficient
  • Slow execution if not optimised
  • One source code = multiple machine code instructions
  • e.g. python, java, c++
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8
Q

What is machine code? (2)

A
  • Uses binary
  • Represents instructions in a format the CPU can decode and execute
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9
Q

What is a low-level language? (8)

A
  • Translated by an assembler into machine code
  • Used for embedded systems/device drivers (instructs hardware directly)
  • One source code instruction = one machine code instruction
  • Works on only one type of processor
  • Works directly with memory
  • Harder to write and understand code
  • Fast to execute
  • e.g. machine code, assembly language
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10
Q

What do translators do? (3)

A
  • Translates source code written in a high level language into machine code
  • Translates assembly code written in a low level language into machine code
  • e.g. compiler, interpreter, assembler
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11
Q

What does an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) include?

A
  • Code editors to enable program code to be entered
  • Error diagnostics for debugging
  • Run-time environment to test and run the program
  • Translator to convert high level code to machine code
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12
Q

What are the editing features of an IDE? (3)

A
  • Illustrating keyword syntax and auto completing command entry and indentations
  • Highlighting error
  • Producing an output of the error message to identify it
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13
Q

What are the debugging features of an IDE? (3)

A
  • Breakpoints to stop code at a certain point
  • Going through lines one at a time to check the lines being executed
  • Tracing through a program to output the values of variables
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14
Q

What are the two features of an IDE that provide a run-time environment?

A
  • Output window
  • Simulating different devices the program can run on
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