2.5 Programming Languages and Integrated Development Environments Flashcards
High - Level Languages
Source code is easy for humans to read and write
Computers need to translate it before it can read or run it
Low - Level Languages
Tricky for humans to read and write
Computers can run directly
Consists of machine code
Example of High - Level Language
Python
Features of High-Level Language
- One instruction in high - level language = many instruction in machine code
- Same code can work with many different machines
- Code is easy to understand, read, write
Disadvantages of High - Level Language
Not much control over what the CPU does so less memory efficient
Must be translated before computer can read it
Features of Low - Level Languages
- One instruction assembly code = one instruction machine code
- Computer does not need to translate code
- You control exactly what the CPU does so programs are memory efficient
Disadvantages of Low - Level Languages
- Only works for one type of machine
- Code is difficult to read and write and modify
Types of Translators
- Compilers
- Interpreters
Translator: Compiler
Translate high - level code -> machine code
Create an executable file
Translator: Interpreter
Take each instruction in code and call machine subroutines to carry out that instruction
Features of a Compiler
- Translate all the source code at once
- Only needed once to create executable file
- Returns list of errors for the entire program once compiling is complete
- Compiling takes a long time, but program runs quickly afterwards
Features of an Interpreter
- Translates and runs source code one instruction at a time
- Needed every time you want to run the program
- Interpreter will find 1 error then stop (used for debugging)
- Program runs slowly, as code is translated whilst running
IDE full form
Integrated Development Environment
Integrated Development Environment
Piece of software that provides features to help programmer to develop a program
Features of IDEs
- Translator
- Auto - documentation
- GUI builder
