2.5 Programming Languages and IDEs Flashcards
What is a high-level language?
Has a syntax and structure similar to English that is designed to be understood by humans
What is a low-level language example?
Assembly language or machine code
What is an example of a high-level language?
Python
Are low-level languages machine dependent?
Yes because different processors use different instructions for the component control
Are high-level languages machine dependent?
No because it is translated into instructions that then refer to the specific processor
Do low-level languages have direct control of hardware?
Yes
Do high-level languages have direct control of hardware?
No
What type of translator is used for assembly lanuage?
Assembler
What type of translator is used for high-level languages?
Compiler or interpreter
Are low-level languages east to write, understand and debug?
No
Are high-level languages easy to write, understand and debug?
Yes
What is the purpose of translators?
To convert high-level code into machine code or binary to enable the code to be run
Features of a compiler
- Translates source code from high-level languages into object code then machine code before it is run
- A compiled program executes faster as it is already translated
- No need for translation/compiler software during runtime
- Designed for specific processors
- Code is usually optimized
- Original source code is usually kept secret
- Code needs to be recompiled when changed
- Errors reported before execution
- Used for software that will run frequently or be sold and bought by a third party
Feature of an interpreter
- Translates source code from high-level languages into machine code line by line
- Takes more time to execute as it is translated as it is running
- No need to recompile code
- Easy for beginners
- Needs translation/interpreter software during runtime
- Code is not optimized
- Errors reported during execution
- Original source code is given to customers and could be copied
- Used for program development
Features of editors
- Used to enter and edit the program code
- Allows the user to enter, save and edit code
- Find and replace all occurrences of text typed by a user
- Auto-indent statements
- Auto-complete statements
- Syntax Highlighting
Features of error diagnostics
- Help a programmer to find where they have made a mistake
- Errors are identified along with the line number that they occurred on
- The code may be underlined or highlighted to show the error
- Allow the addition of breakpoints to stop the program midway
- Programmers can watch the variables as they change
- The programmer can step through the code line by line
Features of the run-time environment
- Allows a programmer to test their program whilst it is running
- If the program crashes the run-time environment can see what happened and give useful information to the programmer
- Separate window to display outputs and enter inputs
What is the translator?
The IDE will use either a compiler or an interpreter to translate the code
