IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 Definitions Worksheet: 4.2 Programming Languages, Translators and IDEs (Modules 430–439)
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Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
assembler
2
translator
3
syntax error
4
compiler
5
executable file
6
compiler error report
7
interpreter
8
stops at first error
9
compiled program
10
compiler disadvantages
Answer Key
IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 · Modules 430–439 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1assembler — A translator that converts an assembly language program into machine code, so the CPU can run it. Each mnemonic becomes one machine code instruction.
2translator — Software that converts high-level or assembly code into machine code, because the CPU can only run machine code. Types: assembler, compiler, interpreter.
3syntax error — Code that breaks the rules of the language, like a missing bracket. The translator reports it and its line. A run-time error only occurs when the program runs.
4compiler — A translator that converts a whole high-level language program into machine code in one go, before the program is run. The machine code can then run without the source code.
5executable file — The machine code program a compiler produces. It runs without the compiler or source code, needs no re-translation, and works only on the type of machine it was made for.
6compiler error report — A list of every error found after the compiler checks the whole program, with line numbers and error types. No executable is made and nothing runs until all are fixed.
7interpreter — A translator that translates a high-level program one line at a time and runs each line straight away. It makes no executable file, so the source code and interpreter are needed on every run.
8stops at first error — An interpreter runs code line by line and halts at the first error it finds, reporting only that one. Earlier lines have already run. Later errors stay hidden until you fix it and run again.
9compiled 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.
10compiler disadvantages — A compiler must translate the whole program without errors before any of it runs, and its executable only works on one machine type, so testing small changes is slow.