2.5 Translators

2.5 Translators

1. Language translators

   • Used to translate language into a form
   • Examples such as:
     • Compiler
     • Assembler
       • Interpreter

2. High-level language/source code

   • Has to be translated using a interpreter or a compiler
   • Programming language is English-like and uses mathematical symbols
   • Code is portable
     • Can be used on any computer

3. Low level language

   • Machine language
     • No need for translation
   • Machine oriented
   • Similar to how computers actually work
   • Assembly language
     • 2nd generation
     • Translated by an assembler

4. Interpreter

   • More flexible
   • Translated line by line
   • Analogy line by line

5. Compiler

   • Faster
   • Doesn’t reveal source code
   • Swaps source code to machine code
     • Inputs are processed when program is always running
   • Entire source code has to be completed to be compiled
   • Translates a program in High level language to machine language

6. Generations of code

   • 4th generation
     • States facts and rules
     • Examples such as
       • SQL
       • Expert System
       • AI
     • Describes what should he performed but not how to perform it
   • 1st generation
     • Machine code
     • Directly executable
     • Non-portable
   • 2nd generation
     • Assembly code
     • Hard to debug
     • Uses minemonics
     • Used in device drivers
       • Printers ect.
     • Easier to program but still difficult
   • 3rd generation
     • Easier to understand debug and errors
     • Translated using compiler/interpreter