Translators

Question 1

What does an assembler do?

Answer 1

Converts assembly code to machine code

Question 2

What do compilers and interpreters do?

Answer 2

Converts source code to machine code

Question 3

Advantages of an assembler?

Answer 3

Memory efficient
Faster speed of execution
Hardware orientated

Question 4

Disadvantages of an assembler?

Answer 4

Long programs cannot be executed on a small computer
More difficult to write and remember how to write
cannot be ported between computers of different makes

Question 5

Advantages of a compiler?

Answer 5

No translation at run time
Speed of execution faster
Optimised code
Original source code hidden

Question 6

Disadvantages of a compiler?

Answer 6

Code needs to be recompiled when changed
Designed for a specific type of processor

Question 7

Advantages of an interpreter?

Answer 7

Easy to write as program will always run
Code does not need to be recompiled when changed
Easy to learn as fixes can be trialed when an error is found

Question 8

Disadvantages of an interpreter?

Answer 8

Translation software is required at run time
Speed of execution is slower
Code is not optimised
Source code required