F453 Computing - Function and Purpose of Translators

Description

Flash cards to support the assessment of OCR F453 Computing - The Purpose and function of translators
pstevens1963
Flashcards by pstevens1963, updated more than 1 year ago
pstevens1963
Created by pstevens1963 about 9 years ago
30
0

Resource summary

Question Answer
Translator Converts Source Code into Object Code A translator can be an assembler, compiler or interpreter
Source Code Written by the programmer in high level language
Machine Code Uses Binary Notation Architecture Specific Each instruction uses Bytes of data
Object Code Low Level Machine Code produced by the translator
Assembler Converts source code written in assembly language to machine code
Executable Code A complete program that can be run by the computer in machine code
Assembler Again Translates program from Assembly Language into Machine Code (one Assembly Code instruction to one Machine Code instruction)
Assembly Language Specific to Microprocessor LDA – Load Accumulator STR A – Store Accumulator ADD A – Add to Accumulator CPM A – Compare with Accumulator JMP – Jump to Label
5 Features of an Assembler S – Allocate Storage for Data and Instructions S – Create a Symbol Table so Label have physical addresses O – Convert Opcodes to Machine Code S – Check syntax of program code S – Symbolic Addressing given physical memory address
Compiler Translates whole program in one go Creates Executable Code Reports errors at the end of the process
Interpreter Translates program one line at a time Each line is run before translating the next line Reports errors
Compiler Disadvantages Program development usually slower Not easy to debug errors Uses more memory
Interpreter Disadvantages The end user has to be given the source code Program runs more slowly since each line is interpreted one at a time The end user needs the interpreter software
Intermediate Code Partly translated code
Intermediate Code Disadvantages Runs more slowly than executable code Sections of programs can be written in different languages Requires an Interpreter
Virtual Machine A generalised computer on which a computer program can run
Features of Lexical Analysis Source program is the input Tokens Created from symbols and reserved words Variable names placed in a symbol table Redundant characters are removed (spaces and comments) Errors reported Prepares code for Syntax Analysis
Features of Syntax Analysis Accepts output from Lexical Analysis Program statements are checked against the rules of the language Errors reported Data added to the symbol table (eg data Type) Output passed to code generation
Code Optimisation Is part of code generation Makes code as efficient as possible Increases processing speed Reduces file size by reducing number of instructions
Code Generation Produces machine code or executable code
Example Tokens Reserved Words (IF THEN ELSE) Symbols () + - * & /
Library Routine A wide range of useful functions that a programmer can use Created by the developers of compiler software
Library Routine Advantages Error free code - reliable Reusable – perform common tasks Allow programmer to write more sophisticated code using other programmers expertise Routines are already compiled
Library Routine Disadvantages Library routines need to be kept up to date- different versions in use by the same program can cause a program to crash
Linker Combines library routines that are already compiled with the program
Loader Copies library routine from secondary storage ready for execution Sets up link addresses
How are Library routine used by CPU Linker used to link library routine with program Loader handles physical addresses when the program is run
Common Library Routine tasks Searching and Sorting
DLL Dynamic Link Library
How are Library routine used by programmer Promotes program development in modules Easier to maintain programs
High level Language Examples Visual Basic Pascal C++ Java
High Level Language that uses an Interpreter Java
Use of Labels Used in assembly language. These are the memory addresses Eg: Loop1:
Symbolic Addressing Example LDA n (where n is the symbolic address)
Show full summary Hide full summary

Similar

F453 A2 Computing - Stacks and Queues
pstevens1963
OCR Chemistry - Atoms, Bonds and Groups (Definitions)
GwynsM
Accounting Definitions
Tess Morris
GCSE Statistics
Felix Ulrich-Oltean
MODE, MEDIAN, MEAN, AND RANGE
Elliot O'Leary
Compensation
Sandra Reed
Lord of the Flies Quotes
Emma Payne
P1 quiz
I M Wilson
TOK mindmap “Without application in the world, the value of knowledge is greatly diminished.”
Gabriela Serpa
Ratios
Sharon Yates
Penson
Roslyn Penson