2.2.10

Compilers

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Compilers

Translators are special software that convert source code into executable binary. Compilers are just one type of translator:

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Compilers

  • Compilers translate the whole of a program in one go.
  • Compilers will provide a list of errors once it has attempted the compilation process:
    • This can make debugging easier.
  • C, C++, Visual Basic, and Swift are all compiled languages.
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Pros of compilers

  • Compilers produce an executable program:
    • There is no need to repeat this process more than once per version of the software.
  • Compilers hide the source code from the end user:
    • This helps to protect developers' intellectual property.
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Cons of compilers

  • The compilation process can be very slow:
    • This can slow down development if many small changes need to be made.

Jump to other topics

1Components of a Computer

2Software & Software Development

3Exchanging Data

4Data Types, Data Structures & Algorithms

5Legal, Moral, Cultural & Ethical Issues

6Elements of Computational Thinking

6.1Thinking Abstractly

6.2Thinking Ahead

6.3Thinking Procedurally

6.4Thinking Logically

6.5Thinking Concurrently

7Problem Solving & Programming

8Algorithms

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