Translators and Facilities of Languages (2.5)

Question 1

What is high level languages

Answer 1

• easier to write and program as no expertise is needed (closest to human language and understanding). More translation needed to convert into machine code

Question 2

What are some examples of high level language

Answer 2

• Python, Java, C++

Question 3

What are the advantages of high level languages

Answer 3

• easier to program and modify
• programs can be written much faster
• code can be debugged easily
• code is portable across multiple platforms

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of high level languages

Answer 4

• requires more memory than low level languages

- translation takes longer and less control over hardware

Question 5

What is a low level language

Answer 5

• programs written related to specific computer hardware and architecture, so less translation needed to convert into machine code

Question 6

What is an example of low level languages

Answer 6

• Assembly language, machine code

Question 7

What are the advantages of low level languages

Answer 7

• assembly language uses English like statements

- translated programs require less memory

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of low level languages

Answer 8

• machine code is difficult to understand and takes longer time to write programs
• code is machine dependant (not portable)

Question 9

What is a translator

Answer 9

• A translator converts programming language and instructions into machine code, to be executed by the computer (using binary). There are TWO main types of translators
  (for HLLs):
  1 - Compiler
  2 - Interpreter

Question 10

What is a compiler

Answer 10

• translates all the code into machine code in one go, producing an executable file which can be run.
• Much faster to run than an interpreter,
• but not as effective to debug for errors

Question 11

What is an interpreter

Answer 11

• translates the code one line at a time, into machine code during program execution.
• Much more effective to debug for individual errors,
• but interpreter code is far less slow than compiled code.

Question 12

What is an IDE

Answer 12

• An IDE is a software program which provides programmers with many different tools and features to help aid program and software development

Question 13

Code editors (IDE)

Answer 13

• (allowing program code to be written and edited, often highlighting keywords and syntax with colours

Question 14

Debugging (IDE)

Answer 14

• (find/diagnose and fix errors and also show information about the errors e.g. syntax or runtime errors as well as where they occur). Some IDEs also suggest solutions

Question 15

Run Time Environment (IDE)

Answer 15

• (enables the program to be run straight after you have written it, to check for run time errors). Also allows testing of the program

Question 16

Translators (IDE)

Answer 16

• (built in translators to convert the high level code into machine code, allowing the code to be executed/run).