Fundamentals of Computer Systems: Types of program translator

Assembler

An assembler translates assembly language into machine code.i. Assembly language consists of mnemonics for machine opcodes so assemblers perform a 1:1 translation from mnemonics to a direct instruction. For example:

LDA #4 converts to 0001001000100100

Conversely, one instruction in a high level language will translate to one or more instructions at machine level.

Advantages of using an Assembler:

Very fast in translating assembly language to machine code as 1 to 1 relationship

Assembly code is often very efficient (and therefore fast) because it is a low level language

Assembly code is fairly easy to understand due to the use of English-like mnemonics

Disadvantages of using Assembler:

Assembly language is written for a certain instruction set and/or processor

Assembly tends to be optimised for the hardware it's designed for, meaning it is often incompatible with different hardware

Lots of assembly code is needed to do relatively simple tasks, and complex programs require lots of programming time

Compiler

A Compiler is a computer program that translates code written in a high level language to a lower level language, object/machine code. The most common reason for translating source code is to create an executable program (converting from a high level language into machine language).

Advantages of using a compiler

Source code is not included, therefore compiled code is more secure than interpreted code

Tends to produce faster code than interpreting source code

Produces an executable file, and therefore the program can be run without need of the source code

Disadvantages of using a compiler

Object code needs to be produced before a final executable file, this can be a slow process

The source code must be 100% correct for the executable file to be produced

Interpreter

An interpreter program executes other programs directly, running through program code and executing it line-by-line. As it analyses every line, an interpreter is slower than running compiled code but it can take less time to interpret program code than to compile and then run it — this is very useful when prototyping and testing code. Interpreters are written for multiple platforms, this means code written once can be run immediately on different systems without having to recompile for each. Examples of this include flash based web programs that will run on your PC, MAC, games console and Mobile phone.

Advantages of using an Interpreter

Easier to debug(check errors) than a compiler

Easier to create multi-platform code, as each different platform would have an interpreter to run the same code

Useful for prototyping software and testing basic program logic

Disadvantages of using an Interpreter

Source code is required for the program to be executed, and this source code can be read making it insecure

Interpreters are generally slower than compiled programs due to the per-line translation method

Types of program translator Name the three types of program translator and describe what level of language each translates Answer: Assembler - Low Level (Assembly) Compiler - High Level Interpreter - High Level Why might you want to use a compiler instead of an interpreter? Answer: A compiler makes faster, more secure code Why might you want to use an interpreter instead of a compiler? Answer: Interpreters allow for code to run on multiple platforms, it allows you to debug and test code without having to re-compile the entire source code For a computer game running on a home console, would you use a compiler or an interpreter? Explain why. Answer: Compiler: as it produces faster code. Also object code that is produced is difficult to read, meaning competitors won't easily be able to steal or users hack the code. OR: Interpreter (harder to get marks for this): As more and more developers create games for multiple platforms, an interpreted language would allow for code written once to be run on different consoles and even phone platforms For a simple learning tool that will be released on the web for school children to use at home, what would be the best choice of translator? Explain why. Answer: Interpreter : Students will be using different operating systems and hardware at home, so it is necessary to create code that is multi-platform. As it is an educational tool, it probably wouldn't need the speed boost that a compiler would provide.