Lecture 3

Question 1

What 2 ways can translation be done?

Answer 1

– compilers, translating HLL instructions into
machine code (sequence of instructions)
– or, assemblers, translating mnemonic form of
machine instructions (like MOV, ADD, etc)
into their binary codes

Question 2

what are modules

Answer 2

Big programs usually are divided into

several separate parts or modules

Question 3

what are linkers

Answer 3

Each module has to be designed, coded and
compiled and then all resulting binary parts
are joined (linked) together by the linker

Question 4

Role of a compiler

Answer 4

Take a program and translate it as a whole into machine
code
– The processes of translation and execution are separate

Question 5

Role of an intepreter

Answer 5

Take an instruction at a time, determine its function,
then carry out those actions
– The processes of translation and execution are
interlaced
– No binary is generated

Question 6

Advantages of Compilers

Answer 6

Execution of compiled code is much faster than

interpretation

Question 7

Advantages of Intepreters

Answer 7

• Interpreters are more suitable for rapid prototyping
and for other situations when a program is
frequently modified
• Interpretation can make it easier to move
programs between platforms
• Interpreters may be easier to write than compilers
• Interpreted code is easier to debug