Translators what are they?...

Translators

• �All code must be translated to machine code in order to run

High level code

• �High level code is designed for humans to read and write.
• �Computers can not run high level code.
• �In order to run the code, it must be translated into machine code.
• �There are two options for doing this:
• �Using a Compiler
• �Using an Interpreter

Compiler

• �A compiler takes the code and translates it all in one go, creating a new executable file at the end.
• �This file contains only machine code, the original high level code is not included.
• �This file can be executed directly by the computer.

Interpreter

• �An interpreter does not create a new file.
• �It is used to execute the source code directly.
• �It translates and executes the high level code line by line.
• �Both python and scratch are interpreted languages.

Advantages of Compiler

• �What are the advantages to using a compiler instead of an interpreter?
• �Speed – a compiled program will run much faster, as all the translation has already been done.
• �Security – you can distribute the executable file without the source code, making it harder to reverse engineer.

Advantages of Interpreter

• �What are the advantages to using an interpreter instead of a compiler?
• �Compatibility – your code will run on any computer that has the interpreter available. A compiled executable can only run on the computer it was compiled for.
• �Debugging – easier to fix errors, as the interpreter can identify the line the error occurred on.

When to use them?

• �When speed is important, software is always compiled.
• �Games, office software, utilities are all generally compiled.
• �When compatibility is important, interpreted software is used.
• �Javascript and other Web-based code is always interpreted, because we don’t know what type of computer the website will be loaded on.

Thats all folks