Question

What do you call a program that translates a high-level language program into a separate machine language program?

Short answer

Answer: A compiler.

Step-by-step solution

Understand High-level Languages

High-level languages are programming languages that are designed to be easy for humans to read, write, and understand. They use more abstract constructs like loops, conditionals, and variables, and follow syntax rules that are closer to natural languages like English. Examples of high-level programming languages include C++, Python, Java, and JavaScript.

Understand Machine Languages

Machine languages are low-level programming languages that consist of binary code (0s and 1s) for a specific computer's architecture. These are the languages that a computer can directly execute, and each machine language instruction corresponds to a single atomic operation on the computer's hardware. Machine languages are difficult for humans to understand and write, and are also hardware-specific.

The Need for a Program to Translate High-level Languages to Machine Language

Since high-level languages are easy for humans to read and write, while machine languages are the ones that a computer can understand and execute, there is a need for a program that can translate high-level language code into machine language code. This translation allows programmers to effectively communicate with a computer using more human-friendly languages.

Identify the Program that Translates High-level Language to Machine Language

The rrogram that translates a high-level language program into a separate machine language program is called a compiler. A compiler takes the source code written in a high-level language and translates it into machine language code, which can then be executed by the computer. Compilers perform various optimizations and syntax checks to ensure that the code is efficient and free of errors before converting it to machine language.

Key concepts

High-Level Languages

High-level languages are the bridge between human thought and computer understanding. They allow us to write code that resembles human languages, making it easier for programmers to express their ideas. Unlike machine language, which is strictly binary, high-level languages let us use alphabetic characters and logical words. Some of the most popular high-level languages include:

• Python
• C++
• Java
• JavaScript

These languages utilize structures like loops, variables, and conditionals. This abstraction means that a single line of high-level code could translate into dozens of lines of machine code. High-level languages help enhance productivity as they reduce the complexity developers face when programming.

Machine Languages

Machine languages are the fundamental code that computers understand. They consist solely of 0s and 1s. Each sequence of these bits corresponds directly to an operation that the computer's hardware can perform. This is why machine languages are also known as low-level languages.
Machine code is both hardware-specific and notoriously difficult for humans to work with. Every processor architecture, like an Intel or ARM chip, has its own unique machine language. Writing software in machine language is tedious and prone to errors, which is why higher levels of abstraction, like high-level languages, are used as intermediaries. Using machine languages effectively requires detailed knowledge of the computer's architecture.

Translation Process

The translation process is crucial for bridging the gap between human-friendly high-level languages and computer-executable machine languages. This process is carried out by programs known as compilers.
A compiler works by analyzing the entire high-level code and converting it into machine language code in a single batch. This compiled machine code is then stored as a separate file which the computer can execute on demand. The translation process involves several steps, including:

• Lexical analysis
• Syntax analysis
• Semantic analysis
• Optimization
• Code generation

Each of these stages is designed to ensure that the resultant machine code is efficient and error-free, effectively translating human intent into digital operations.

Programming Languages

Programming languages form the backbone of software development. They are the tools developers use to create software that can instruct computers to perform tasks. There are many programming languages, each with its own syntax, rules, and use cases.

• Some languages are designed for general use, like Python, which is known for its readability and versatility.
• Others, such as C, offer more control over hardware and performance, making them ideal for system and application programming.
• Java is widely used for web and mobile applications due to its portability across platforms.

Programming languages enable developers to write applications that solve problems, automate tasks, and manage systems. Each language is designed to make a specific aspect of programming easier or more efficient, enhancing the overall productivity and capability of programmers.