4.2 Types of programming language, translators and IDE

Close to the language processed by computers
May use mnemonics
Low level languages relate to the specific architecture and hardware of a computer
Can be machine code (binary),requires no translation
Can be assembly language, requires translation using an assembler

Compiler vs Interpreter vs Assembler

Executable files can easily be produced and distributed to users.
Once the executable file is produced, users do not need the compiler software.
Users cannot change or illegally use the original source code.
Faster Execution of program
The final object file is only produced when all errors in the source code have been located and fixed.
Uses a lot of resources. During the compilation process, memory contains the compiler software, source code, object code, memory for working storage.
Difficult to find errors so the procedure is time consuming with several runs of the compiler before all the errors are located.

Translates a program one line of code at a time
Machine code is directly executed // The interpreter is used each time the program / code is executed
Will identify an error as soon as it finds one in a line of code
Interpreters are commonly used for testing a program

Produces error messages as each instruction is translated so debugging is easier and faster.
An interpreter halts (stops) when it encounters a syntax error. So errors can be corrected in real time
The programmer can attempt to run and test the program at any time including before all the code has been written. (Partial Compilation for debugging.)
The effect of any change made to the code can be seen immediately
Execution is slower than compilers because no executable files are produced. Every time the program is executed it has to be first translated.
The interpreter software has to be present in memory every time an attempt is made to run the program.
No executable file produced: so all users must have the interpreter software available and the code is not protected therefore other programmers could make unwanted changes to the code as the source code is always present

Translates a low level language into machine code
An executable file of machine code is produced
One low-level language statement is usually translated into one machine code instruction
Assembled programs can be used without the assembler
An assembled program is usually distributed for general use