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Computer Languages :computer: ((Advantages:, If errors are present, then…
Computer Languages :computer:
There are two types of programming language which can be used:
Machine code
High level language
Machine code is the language that the computer understands.
Disadvantages:
Machine code is very difficult for humans to read and understand
Processor specific – they can only run on the processor type they have been written on
Advantages:
Machine code runs very quickly as it does not need to be translated
High level languages
were developed as a result of machine code being so difficult to understand.
Advantages:
Contain English words and phrases so they are easier to read and understand
Easier to spot errors and bugs because they are easier to understand
Portable – the program can run on more than one type of processor
Disadvantages:
They need to be translated into machine code so are slower to run
Before a high level language can be understood and run by a computer we need to translate it into machine code.
We can use two types of translator:
Interpreter
Compiler
An interpreter does not produce object code (a stand alone piece of code).
The interpreter translates and executes each line of the program in turn.
Advantages:
If errors are present, then they are highlighted immediately and are therefore easier to detect and fix.
Interpreters can run partial code or code under development.
Disadvantages:
A translation is not saved, the interpreter must be present to run code.
If code is repeated, as in a loop, the code is translated and run many times.
Individual runs are slower because of the previous two points.
A compiler translates high level language instructions, called source code, into machine code or object code. It does this by going through the source one line at a time and translating it. It puts the translation into a file and then moves on.
When the whole program has been translated, the object code can be run. There is no need to translate the source code again, unless the program is changed.
If there are syntax errors – errors in grammar – it lists them. The object code cannot be run until the whole program is translated.
Advantages:
If no errors are found, then the source does not need to be translated again.
The translator program is no longer required once the program is translated.
Disadvantages:
If any syntax errors are present then the program will not run.
The errors may be harder to correct, as the problems may not be identified until the code is translated.