Languages And Translators

Question 1

What are the 2 low level languages you are expected to know?

Answer 1

Machine code and Assembley language

Question 2

What is low level language

Answer 2

A low level language is close to the processor

Question 3

What is a high level language

Answer 3

Written using English like words and are platform dependant

Question 4

What are a few examples of a high level language

Answer 4

C, C++, Java, Visual Basic, JavaScript, Perl, Python, Ruby, SQL, MatLab, HTML, Mercury, OPS5, and Prolog

Question 5

What is first generation language and an example of one

Answer 5

Languages interpreted directly by the processor e.g. machine code

Question 6

What is second generation language and an example of one

Answer 6

Used in Kernels and hardware drives e.g. Assembly language

Question 7

What is second generation language and an example of one

Answer 7

Used in Kernels and hardware drives e.g. Assembly language

Question 8

What is third generation languages and an example of one

Answer 8

These are imperative(step by step instructions) languages e.g. C, C++, Java, Visual Basic and Javascript

Question 9

What is fourth generation language and an example of one

Answer 9

These consist of statements that are more like statements in the human language e.g. Perl, Python, Ruby, SQL, MatLab and HTML

Question 10

What is fifth generation language and an example of one

Answer 10

These have visual tools to develop a program e.g. Mercury, OPS5 and Prolog

Question 11

What is machine code

Answer 11

A language consisting of binary or hexadecimal instructions which a computer can respond to directly

Question 12

What is assembly language

Answer 12

A symbolic code, using mnemonics that is platform specific

Question 13

Name a pro and a con of using Machine code

Answer 13

Pros
Programs run quick
Programmer interfacing directly with the processor and has more control

Cons
Long winded
Error prone
Not portable between processors
Hard to debug
Detailed knowledge required

Question 14

Name a pro and a con of using assembly language

Answer 14

Pro
Easier than machine code and take less mem than high level languages
Programmer directly interacting with registers, more control

Cons
Code is difficult to read than high level
Detailed knowledge required
Machine dependant, not portable without modification

Question 15

Name a pro and a con of using high level language (HLLs)

Answer 15

Pros
Uses English language like keywords, therefore easy to understand
Platform independent
No knowledge of hardware required

Cons
Programmer must rely on the compiler to optimise the code

Question 16

What are the three translators

Answer 16

Assembler
Compiler
Interpreter

Question 17

What does a translator do

Answer 17

It produces machine code from a source

Question 18

What is a compiler

Answer 18

Translates the whole source program into machine code in one pass

Question 19

Name a pro and a con of using a compiler

Answer 19

Pros
Once source code has been compiled you no longer need the compiler or source code
Customer does not need to buy a compiler
Programmer does not need to distribute their source

Cons
Debugging code will be slower than using an interpreter
The object code will only run on the processor type it was originally compiled for

Question 20

What is an interpreter

Answer 20

Translates each line and immediately performs the required action before translating the next line

Question 21

Name a pro and a con of using an interpreter

Answer 21

Pros
Programmer gets immediate feedback while they are developing

Cons
Same section/line of code may be translated over and over, complied programs would run faster
Programmer needs to distribute their source, and customer needs to install an interpreter

Question 22

What is an assembler

Answer 22

Takes basic computer instructions and converts them into a pattern of bits that the computers processor can use to perform basic operations

Question 23

What is bytecode

Answer 23

An instruction set, used for programming, that can be executed on any computer which has a virtual machine installed. Usually the source is compiled to bytecode then bytecode is interpreted