← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Advantages of a compiler

A program translated all at once into an executable. It runs faster, needs no compiler to run, keeps the source code private, and gives a whole-program error report.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.2 Programming Languages, Translators and IDEs — Module 20

Understanding Advantages of a compiler in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The translation is already done before the program starts, so each run skips the translation step and is faster. Users only receive the machine code in the executable, so they cannot easily read the programmer's original source code. A compiler translates the whole program once, in advance. An interpreter translates while the program runs, which takes extra time. Translation happens once. The executable can then be run many times with no further translation. An executable does not need the compiler. The translation was done earlier by the developer. This is wrong because the advantage of a compiler is that the executable runs without the compiler being installed.

Common mistakes: A compiled program has no translation at run time, so it runs faster and takes less time. The check should be c_time < i_time (compiled time is smaller), not >. The executable runs without the compiler. The source file game.c cannot be run directly once the compiler is gone. The line should be run("game.exe").

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Learning
Duo
Why does a compiled program usually run faster than an interpreted one?
The translation was already done before it runs, so no translating happens at run timeThe compiler translates each line again every time the program runs
Matches
Users must install the compiler to run game.exe
↓
An executable does not need the compiler to run. The translation was already done, so the compiler is not needed on the user's computer.
Applying
Meanings
Term
compiled program
Meaning
A program translated all at once into an executable. It runs faster, needs no compiler to run, keeps the source code private, and gives a whole-program error report.
Practice
COMPILE source_code INTO game.exe
Testing
Gaps
EXE ← ("game.c")
Check Answer
Spots
3print(c_time, i_time)
4print(c_time > i_time)

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Quick Questions

1. Why does a compiled program usually run faster than an interpreted one?
A. The translation was already done before it runs, so no translating happens at run time ✓
B. The compiler translates each line again every time the program runs
A compiler translates the whole program once, in advance. An interpreter translates while the program runs, which takes extra time.
2. A company gives customers a compiled executable file. What do the customers NOT need?
A. A copy of the compiler ✓
B. A copy of the executable file
The executable is already in machine code, so the compiler is not needed to run it.
3. Which is an advantage of distributing a program as an executable file?
A. The source code stays private ✓
B. Customers can easily read and edit the source code
The executable contains machine code, not the source code, so the developer's code is not shared and is hard to copy or change.
4. Which statement about compiler error reporting is correct?
A. The compiler stops at the first error and says nothing about the rest
B. The compiler gives a report of the errors found in the whole program ✓
A compiler checks the whole program and then reports its errors together, which helps the programmer fix many errors at once.
5. Which is a true advantage of a compiler?
A. The program must be translated again every time it is run
B. Once compiled, the program can run again and again without being translated ✓
Translation happens once. The executable can then be run many times with no further translation.

Match the Pairs

game.exe → An executable file made by a compiler that can run on its own, without the compiler or the source code
compiler.translate(source) -> report → The compiler translates the whole program and then gives a report of all the errors it found
A compiled program runs faster because no translation happens while it is running → translate once -> run many times
Source code stays private because only the executable is given to users → give users: game.exe (keep game.py)
Users must install the compiler to run game.exe → An executable does not need the compiler to run. The translation was already done, so the compiler is not needed on the user's computer.
Compiled programs run slowly because they are translated line by line each time → Line-by-line translation at run time is how an interpreter works. A compiled program is translated once beforehand, so it runs faster.

Key Term

compiled program
A program translated all at once into an executable. It runs faster, needs no compiler to run, keeps the source code private, and gives a whole-program error report.

Fill in the Blanks

1. EXE ← COMPILE("game.c")
Hint: Type the function name that translates the whole source code into an executable in one go.
2. RUN("game.exe")
Hint: Type the file extension of the translated program that runs without the compiler being present.
3. app ← COMPILE("game.c") SHARE(app)
Hint: Type the procedure name that hands the executable to users, so the source code stays private.
4. // The compiler reports all errors at once
Hint: Type the word describing how many errors the whole-program report lists.
5. IF compiled = TRUE THEN OUTPUT "Runs faster" ENDIF
Hint: Type the Boolean value that means translation is already done, so no translation happens at run time.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A c_time = 2
B i_time = 5
C print(c_time, i_time)
D print(c_time > i_time)
Line D — A compiled program has no translation at run time, so it runs faster and takes less time. The check should be c_time < i_time (compiled time is smaller), not >.
Question 2
A compile("game.c", "game.exe")
B uninstall(compiler)
C run("game.c")
Line C — The executable runs without the compiler. The source file game.c cannot be run directly once the compiler is gone. The line should be run("game.exe").
Question 3
A exe = interpret("game.c")
B run(exe)
C print("Already translated")
Line A — A compiler translates the whole program once and creates an executable file. An interpreter does not create one. Line 1 should be exe = compile("game.c").
Question 4
A errors = compile_all("g.c")
B if len(errors) < 0:
C print("Fix:", errors)
Line B — A compiler gives a whole-program error report. A list length can never be less than 0, so the errors would never be shown. It should be if len(errors) > 0:.
Question 5
A translate_at_runtime = True
B if translate_at_runtime:
C speed = "slower"
D else:
E speed = "faster"
Line A — A compiled program was translated before it runs, so no translation happens at run time. The value should be False, which gives the faster result.

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