2.5 Programming Languages and IDEs

Question 1

What is a high-level language?

Answer 1

Has a syntax and structure similar to English that is designed to be understood by humans

Question 2

What is a low-level language example?

Answer 2

Assembly language or machine code

Question 3

What is an example of a high-level language?

Answer 3

Python

Question 4

Are low-level languages machine dependent?

Answer 4

Yes because different processors use different instructions for the component control

Question 5

Are high-level languages machine dependent?

Answer 5

No because it is translated into instructions that then refer to the specific processor

Question 6

Do low-level languages have direct control of hardware?

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

Do high-level languages have direct control of hardware?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

What type of translator is used for assembly lanuage?

Answer 8

Assembler

Question 9

What type of translator is used for high-level languages?

Answer 9

Compiler or interpreter

Question 10

Are low-level languages east to write, understand and debug?

Answer 10

No

Question 11

Are high-level languages easy to write, understand and debug?

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

What is the purpose of translators?

Answer 12

To convert high-level code into machine code or binary to enable the code to be run

Question 13

Features of a compiler

Answer 13

• Translates source code from high-level languages into object code then machine code before it is run
• A compiled program executes faster as it is already translated
• No need for translation/compiler software during runtime
• Designed for specific processors
• Code is usually optimized
• Original source code is usually kept secret
• Code needs to be recompiled when changed
• Errors reported before execution
• Used for software that will run frequently or be sold and bought by a third party

Question 14

Feature of an interpreter

Answer 14

• Translates source code from high-level languages into machine code line by line
• Takes more time to execute as it is translated as it is running
• No need to recompile code
• Easy for beginners
• Needs translation/interpreter software during runtime
• Code is not optimized
• Errors reported during execution
• Original source code is given to customers and could be copied
• Used for program development

Question 15

Features of editors

Answer 15

• Used to enter and edit the program code
• Allows the user to enter, save and edit code
• Find and replace all occurrences of text typed by a user
• Auto-indent statements
• Auto-complete statements
• Syntax Highlighting

Question 16

Features of error diagnostics

Answer 16

• Help a programmer to find where they have made a mistake
• Errors are identified along with the line number that they occurred on
• The code may be underlined or highlighted to show the error
• Allow the addition of breakpoints to stop the program midway
• Programmers can watch the variables as they change
• The programmer can step through the code line by line

Question 17

Features of the run-time environment

Answer 17

• Allows a programmer to test their program whilst it is running
• If the program crashes the run-time environment can see what happened and give useful information to the programmer
• Separate window to display outputs and enter inputs

Question 18

What is the translator?

Answer 18

The IDE will use either a compiler or an interpreter to translate the code