Unit 2 - 5 Flashcards
What is meant by a ‘high level language’?
Instructions that tell a computer what to do
Written in machine code (binary or hexadecimal)
Each number in machine code represents a different instruction
What are the advantages of using a high level language?
Easier for programmer to understand
Contains words from natural programming language
What is a low level language?
Sits close to computers instruction set which is a set of instructions that the computer understands, not the programmer/user
Define machine code?
Instructions that the processor (computer) understands and can act upon, often displayed as binary or hexadecimal
What is an assembler (assembly language)?
Sits between machine code and high level language, it uses mnemonics
What are advantages and disadvantages of assembly language?
Easier to write
Takes time and effort to spot mistakes
Define source code?
Code written in high level language that users understand but computer doesn’t process
What is object code?
Code that has been translated from source code into a form (object code) that computer can interpret
What are the 2 types of translators?
Compilers and interpreters
What is a complier?
Translates source code into object code IN ONE GO
Optimises code, takes up less memory space which makes it run quicker
Complied program can be supplied as an executable file which when run starts a program
What is an interpreter?
Translates source code into object code ONE INSTRUCTION AT A TIME
Object code is then immediately executed
What are advantages and disadvantages of a complier?
Can optimise code making it quicker and taking up less memory space, programmes prefer to supply executables rather than source code -
Needs a lot of memory to translate as a whole
Doesn’t usually spot errors
What are advantages and disadvantages of an interpreter?
Instructions executed as soon as they are translated, errors can be quickly spotted, requires less available memory -
Doesn’t optimise code, runs slower because processor has to wait for each instruction, doesn’t produce executable file, could be modified without permission
Define an IDE?
Integrated development environment - a digital environment used to develop games, software, hardware that offers integration from debugging all the way to compiling
Give examples of an IDE in a python code?
Variable watcher
Step in tool
Break points
