Low Level Processing - Machine Code & Translators

Question 1

What is machine code?

Answer 1

The language which computers understand, and is made up of binary numbers

Question 2

What is translation?

Answer 2

Changing a program from one language to another

Question 3

Define the ‘system software’

Answer 3

It is a collection of programs that help to computer hardware work properly

Question 4

What is a compiler?

Answer 4

A program that can translate a HLL program into machine code in a single operation

Question 5

What is an interpreter?

Answer 5

A program that changes HLL into machine code one instruction at a time and then carries it out

Question 6

Why do interpreted programs run more slowly than compiled programs?

Answer 6

The interpreter must translate each instruction every time the program is run

Question 7

What is an advantage of using an interpreter? What is a disadvantage?

Answer 7

• An advantage is that errors are highlighted immediately and programs that are only partly complete can be run
• A disadvantage is that programs run slower and the source code & interpreter itself needs to always be installed

Question 8

What is an advantage of using a compiler? What is a disadvantage?

Answer 8

• An advantage is that compiled code runs very fast, the machine code doesn’t take up much space and the code can’t be changed
• A disadvantage is that Errors aren’t highlighted immediately

Question 9

What is the ‘portability of software’?

Answer 9

This is whether or not you can run a program you write on one computer on another computer

Question 10

Why are programs written in machine code not portable?

Answer 10

They are related directly to the processor of a computer