4.2 Types of programming language, translators and integrated development environments (IDEs)

Question 1

Describe how the compiler translates the computer program.

Answer 1

• It translates the (high-level language) into a low-level language
• It translates all the code before it is executed
• It creates an executable file

Question 2

Describe how the compiler reports errors.

Answer 2

• It creates an error report after trying to compile
• displaying all errors in the code

Question 3

Give 4 common functions of an IDE.

Answer 3

• built-in compiler
• Built-in interpreter
• Auto-completion
• Auto-correction

Question 4

Explain what is meant by a high-level language and a low-level language

Answer 4

• Low-level language: a programming language that directly translates to machine code understood by the processor
• High-level language: programming language uses English-like statements to allow users to program with easy-to-use code

Question 5

2 advantages + disadvantages of HL lang.

Answer 5

2 advantages of HL:
- Easier to read and write
- Easier to debug

2 disadvantages:

• The user isn’t able to directly manipulate the hardware
• The program may be less efficient

Question 6

2 advantages + disadvantages of LL lang.

Answer 6

2 advantages of LL:
- Complete control over the system components
- Occupies less memory and execute faster

2 disadvantages:

• Machine dependent
• More prone to errors

Question 7

What’s an assembly language?

Answer 7

• a form of low-level language that uses mnemonics, and an assembler is needed to translate an assembly language program into machine code

Question 8

Describe the operation of a compiler and an interpreter, including how high-level language is translated by each and how errors are reported

Answer 8

• A compiler translates the whole code at once before executing it, producing an executable file.
• An interpreter translates and executes the code line by line
• A compiler provides an error report for the whole code if errors are detected
• An interpreter stops execution when an error is found

Question 9

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a compiler and an interpreter

Answer 9

• An interpreter is mostly used when developing a program
• A compiler is used to translate the final program

Question 10

What’s IDE (An Integrated Development Environment)?

Answer 10

• An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is software designed to make writing high-level languages more efficient

Question 11

What do IDE’s include?

Answer 11

IDEs include tools and facilities to make the process of creating code easier, such as:

• Editor
• Error diagnostics
• Run-time environment
• Translators

Question 12

What is the function of an editor?

Answer 12

• An editor gives users an environment to write, edit and maintain high-level code

Editors can provide:

• Basic code formatting tools - changing the font, size of the font and making text bold, etc

Question 13

What is the function of error diagnostics?

Answer 13

• Tools that help to identify, understand, and fix errors in code, such as:
• Identifying errors - highlight particular areas of code where the error may have appeared, e.g., indentation error, etc

Debugger - provide a ‘step through’ command which provides step-by-step instructions and shows what is happening to the code line by line, useful for finding logic errors.

Question 14

What’s run-time environment?

Answer 14

• Gives users the ability to run and see the corresponding output of a high-level language

Question 15

What’s a translator?

Answer 15

• Built in to compile or interpret code without the need for an extra piece of software