Programming languages Flashcards
Name of computer language
machine code
What is a program
instructions that enable computer to perform tasks
Features of high-level languages (4)
programming language
independent of hardware
requires no knowledge of hardware using program
designed with programmer in mind
Features of low-level language (3)
programming language
dependent on hardware
refer to machine code, binary, assembly language
Advantages of high-level language (4)
quicker to write programs
easier to debug programs
independent of type of computer used
direct manipulation of hardware
Disadvantages of high-level language (3)
larger programs
longer for programs to be executed
programs may not be able to use special hardware
Advantages of low-level language (4)
can use special hardware
code performs task quickly
has machine-dependent instructions
code doesn’t take much primary memory
Disadvantages of low-level language (2)
longer to write programs
programs more difficult to understand
Define a translator (2)
utility program
translates program to binary so computer can use it
3 types of translators (3)
compiler
Interpreter
Assembler
Features of compilers (7)
program
translates HLL to machine code
1 HLL statement = several machine code instructions
translates whole code at same time
produces executable file of machine code
usually distributed for general use
program able to run without compiler
Features of interpreters (4)
executes HLL program 1 statement at a time
1 HLL statement = multiple machine code instructions to be executed
does not produce executable file
program cannot run without interpreter
How compilers react to error
error report produced instead of compiled program
How interpreters react to error
stops execution
Features of assemblers (6)
program
translates assembly language/low-level language to machine code
machine code can be used again without re-assembly
1 LLL statement translates = 1 machine code instruction
usually distributed for general use
translated programs able to run without assembler
