Programming Languages and IDEs Flashcards
What is a high level programming language?
- Language similar to spoken English
- Written as source code
What is a low level programming language?
- Language similar to the computer’s instruction set
- Written in machine code or assembly
What are the advantages of using a high level programming language?
- Easier to write in, understand and debug
What are the advantages of using a low level programming language?
- Quicker to execute
- Can program anything with it (source code is limited to the commands available)
What are the disadvantages of using a high level language?
- Slower to execute
- Not everything can be programmed as source code due to the limited commands available
What are the disadvantages of using a low level language?
- Difficult to write in, understand and debug
What is assembly?
- Low level language
- Uses mnemonics
- Each mnemonic corresponds with a machine code instruction
What are the 3 types of translator?
- Compiler
- Interpreter
- Assembler
What is a translator?
A program that either:
- Converts source code into machine code
- Converts assembly code into machine code
What is a compiler?
A translator that converts into machine code in one go
What is an interpreter?
A translator that translates lines one by one as the program is running
What is an assembler?
A translator that converts assembly into machine code
What are the advantages of compilers?
- The program runs quickly because it has already been translated
- They optimise code
- Compiled programs can be supplied as executable files
What are the advantages of interpreters?
- Instructions are executed as soon as they are translated
- This means when errors occur they can be easily spotted since the program stops running
- This also means less memory is required
What are the disadvantages of compilers?
- Takes up lots of memory because program is translated at once
- The program needs to be recompiled whenever an edit is made to the code
- Program will not run if it contains syntax errors
What are the disadvantages of interpreters?
- Programs run slower since the processor has to wait for each line to be translated before it is run
- Program has to be translated every time it is run
- They don’t optimise code
What does IDE stand for?
Integrated Development Environment
What is an IDE?
A program that allows a user to code and provide assistance with tools such as an RTE and an editor
Name 4 common tools in an IDE
- Editors
- Error diagnostics
- Run-time environment
- Translator
What are editors?
Software that allows programmers to write and edit code
What tools do editors often come with? Why do these help?
- Automatic line numbering
- Syntax highlighting
- Auto-indenting
Increases the readability of code
What does RTE stand for?
Run-time environment
What is an RTE?
Software that allows a program to run on a computer even if It is not designed to run on it
What is the purpose of error diagnostics?
To help programmers to locate and fix bugs
What error diagnostic tools are there that help to fix bugs?
- Breakpoints
- Variable tracing
- Identifying syntax errors
What do breakpoints do?
Allow a program to be paused or stopped at predetermined points
What does variable tracing do?
Allow the programmer see the changing values of variables as the program runs
What is folding?
When areas of code are collapsed or expanded
