Computers 💻 | Programming Languages! Translators! IDEs! | 4.2

Question 1

Define machine code

Answer 1

A binary programming language, for which the code can be loaded and executed without translation.

Question 2

Define high-level language

(HLL)

Answer 2

A programming language that is independent of computer hardware, that has to be translated into machine code before being executed

Question 3

Define low-level language

(LLL)

Answer 3

A programming language that is dependent on computer hardware

Question 4

What are two examples of low-level languages?

Answer 4

Assembly language and machine code

Question 5

Define assembly language

Answer 5

A programming language that is dependent on computer hardware, for which a program has to be translated into machine code before being executed. It uses mnemonics

Question 6

Machine code is usually shown in what number system?

Answer 6

Hexadecimal

Question 7

What are the advantages of high-level languages?

Answer 7

• Independent of the type of computer being used
• Easier to read, write, and understand programs
• Quicker to write programs
• Programs are easier and quicker to debug
• Easier to maintain programs in use
• Portable

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of high-level languages?

Answer 8

• Programs can be larger
• Programs can take longer to execute
• Programs may not be able to make use of special hardware

Question 9

What are the advantages of low-level languages?

Answer 9

• Can make use of special hardware
• Includes special machine-dependent instructions
• Can write code that doesn’t take up much space in primary memory
• Can write code that performs a task very quickly

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of low-level languages?

Answer 10

• It takes a longer time to write and debug programs
• Programs are more difficult to understand

Question 11

Why are high-level languages easier to understand?

Answer 11

They are closer to english and real world languages

Question 12

Why may some programmers write programs in an assembly language?

Answer 12

• To make use of special hardware
• To make use of special machine-dependent instructions
• To write code that doesn’t take up much space in primary memory
• To write code that performs a task very quickly

Question 13

Define translator

Answer 13

Converts a program written in a high-level language into machine code

Question 14

What is needed to translate an assembly language program into machine code?

Answer 14

An assembler

Question 15

Why is there need of translators?

Answer 15

Humans find it very difficult to read binary, but computers can only perform operations written in binary

Question 16

Define compiler

Answer 16

A computer program that translates a source program written in a high-level language to machine code

Question 17

What does a compiiler do if an error is found?

Answer 17

An error report is produced instead of a compiled program

Question 18

Define interpreter

Answer 18

A computer program that analyses and executes a program written in a high-level language line-by-line

Question 19

What does an interpreter do when it detects errors?

Answer 19

The execution of the program ceases if an error is detected on a statement. An error message is output; sometimes a suggested corrections is provided

Question 20

How does the use case of compiled, interpreted, and assembled programs differ?

Answer 20

• Compiled and assembled programs are usually distributed for general use
• An interpreter is often used when a program is being developed

Question 21

What are the advantages of interpreters?

Answer 21

• Easier and quicker to debug and test programs during development
• Easier to edit programs during development

Question 22

What are the disadvantages of interpreters?

Answer 22

• Programs cannot be run without the interpreter
• Programs can take longer to execute

Question 23

What are the advantages of compilers?

Answer 23

• A compiled program can be stored ready for use
• A compiled program can be executed without the compiler
• A compiled program takes up less space in memory when executed
• A compiled program is executed in a shorter time

Question 24

What are the disadvantages of compilers?

Answer 24

It takes a longer time to write, test, and debug programs during development

Question 25

Define Integrated Development Environment

(IDE)

Answer 25

A suite of programs used to write and test a computer program written in a high-level language

Question 26

What are the common features of IDEs?

Answer 26

• Code editors
• A translator
• A runtime environment with a debugger
• Error diagnostics
• Autocompletion
• Autocorrection
• An autodocumenter and prettyprinting

Question 27

What is the benefit of a code editor?

In an IDE

Answer 27

It allows a program to be written and edited without the need to use a seperate text editor, speeding up the program development process, as editing can be done without changing to a different piece of software each time the program needs correcting

Question 28

How are interpreters and compilers used in IDEs?

Answer 28

• Interpreters are used for developing the program
• Compilers are used to produce the final version of the program to be used

Question 29

Define debugger

Answer 29

A program that runs the program under development and allows the programmer to stop the execution of the program at a certain point in the source code.

Question 30

How do report windows help with debugging in an IDE?

Answer 30

They show the contents of the variables and expressions evaluated at a certain point in the program, allowing the programmer to see if there are any logic errors in the program

Question 31

Explain the function of error diagnostics and autocorrection

In an IDE

Answer 31

Dynamic error checking finds possible errors as the program code is being typed, alerting the programmer at the time and providing a suggested correction

Question 32

Explain how auto-completion works

In IDEs

Answer 32

Code editors can offer context-sensitive prompts with text completion for variable names and reserved words

Question 33

Define prettyprinting

Answer 33

Displaying source code using different colours and formatting, making the code easier to read and understand