2.5 - Programming Languages & IDE's

Question 1

What is a High Level Language?

Answer 1

• Source code
• Translated by a compiler/interpreter into machine code
• Quicker & easier to write/understand
• Will run on different types of processors
• Less memory efficient

Question 2

What is a Low Level Language?

Answer 2

• Assembly language
• Translated by an assembler into machine code
• Harder to write/understand
• Only works on one type of processor
• Works directly with memory

Question 3

What is the difference between HLLs & LLLs?

Answer 3

HLL: Translated by compiler/interpreter to machine code
LLL: Uses mnemonics, translated by assembler to machine code, harder to write/understand

Question 4

What are the three main translators?

Answer 4

• Compilers
• Interpreters
• Assemblers

Question 5

What is the purpose of translators?

Answer 5

To convert source code into object code so the computer can understand it

Question 6

What is a compiler?

Answer 6

• Translates source code from HLL to object code then machine code
• Whole program is translated into machine code before it’s run

Question 7

What is an interpreter?

Answer 7

• Translates source code from HLL to machine code
• Translated line by line as it’s running

Question 8

What’s the difference between compilers and interpreters?

Answer 8

Compiler: Translates code all at once
Interpreter: Translates code line by line

Question 9

What are some advantages of a compiler?

Answer 9

• No need for translation software at runtime
• Speed of execution is faster
• Code usually optimised
• Original source code hidden

Question 10

What are some disadvantages of a compiler?

Answer 10

• Program won’t run with syntax errors in code - more difficult to write
• Code needs to be recompiled when changed
• Designed for a specific type of processor

Question 11

What are some advantages of an interpreter?

Answer 11

• Easy to write - program always runs & stops when it finds syntax error
• Doesn’t need to be recompiled when changed
• Easy to try out commands
• Very easy for beginners

Question 12

What are some disadvantages of an interpreter?

Answer 12

• Translation software needed at runtime
• Execution speed is slower
• Code not optimised
• Source code is needed

Question 13

What does IDE stand for?

Answer 13

Integrated Development Environments

Question 14

What functions does an IDE provide?

Answer 14

• Editors
• Error diagnostics
• Run Time Environment
• Translators

Question 15

What is an editor?

Answer 15

Software that allows us to write/edit code in a window
Provides:
- Navigation - showing/hiding sections of code
- Formatting source code - colour coding/indentation
- Find and replace
- Comment regions
- Auto completion

Question 16

What are error diagnostics?

Answer 16

Debugging tools for finding logic errors
- Breakpoints (stopping a program at a line of code during execution)
- Checking which lines are executing
- Outputting the values of variables

Question 17

What is run time environment?

Answer 17

• Output window
• Simulating different devices the program can run on

Question 18

What is the translator in an IDE?

Answer 18

• Typically an interpreter
• Converts HLL to machine code so that it can be run

Question 19

What is machine code?

Answer 19

The binary representation of instructions in a format that CPU can decode and execute
Has an operation code (opcode) instruction and address or data to use (operand)

Question 20

What is a mnemonic?

Answer 20

An abbreviation for an operation (like ADD = addition)