← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Why translators are needed

Software that converts high-level or assembly code into machine code, because the CPU can only run machine code. Types: assembler, compiler, interpreter.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.2 Programming Languages, Translators and IDEs — Module 13

Understanding Why translators are needed in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Each of the three translators takes a particular kind of source code in and gives machine code out. The assembler handles assembly language. The reason is that the CPU can only run machine code. It is not about comments or how the code looks. Programs written in other languages must be translated into machine code before the CPU can run them.

Common mistakes: Python is a high-level language, so it is translated by a compiler or an interpreter. An assembler only translates assembly language. The line should be translator ← 'interpreter'. Assembly language is translated into machine code by an assembler, not a compiler. The line should be translator ← 'assembler'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 430–439) and word search (Modules 419–439).

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Learning

Duo

Which statement is correct about what a CPU can run directly?

The CPU can run Python source code directlyThe CPU can only run machine code

Matches

The CPU runs Python source code directly, so no translator is needed

↓

The CPU can only run machine code. High-level source code such as Python must be translated into machine code first.

Applying

Meanings

Term

translator

Meaning

Software that converts high-level or assembly code into machine code, because the CPU can only run machine code. Types: assembler, compiler, interpreter.

Practice

source_code ← "high-level program"

Testing

Gaps

source code -> -> machine code

Check Answer

Spots

1language ← 'Python'

2translator ← 'assembler'

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement is correct about what a CPU can run directly?

A. The CPU can only run machine code ✓

B. The CPU can run Python source code directly

A CPU only understands machine code (binary instructions). Source code in other languages must be translated first.

2. What is the job of a translator?

A. Convert machine code into a faster CPU

B. Convert source code into machine code ✓

A translator is software that takes source code in and gives machine code out, so the CPU can run it.

3. Which list contains only types of translator?

A. Assembler, compiler, interpreter ✓

B. Assembler, compiler, spreadsheet

The three translators in the syllabus are the assembler, the compiler and the interpreter. A spreadsheet is application software, not a translator.

4. Which translator is used for assembly language?

A. Assembler ✓

B. Interpreter

An assembler converts assembly language mnemonics into machine code. Compilers and interpreters are used for high-level languages.

5. A program is written in a high-level language. Which translators could be used?

A. Only an assembler

B. A compiler or an interpreter ✓

High-level code is translated by a compiler or an interpreter. An assembler only works on assembly language.

Match the Pairs

translator → Software that converts a program written in a high-level or assembly language into machine code the CPU can run

machine code → The only language the CPU can run directly, made up of binary instructions

An assembler translates assembly language into machine code → assembly language -> assembler -> machine code

A compiler or interpreter translates a high-level language into machine code → high-level code -> compiler or interpreter -> machine code

The CPU runs Python source code directly, so no translator is needed → The CPU can only run machine code. High-level source code such as Python must be translated into machine code first.

high-level code -> assembler -> machine code → An assembler only translates assembly language. High-level code needs a compiler or an interpreter.

Key Term

translator

Software that converts high-level or assembly code into machine code, because the CPU can only run machine code. Types: assembler, compiler, interpreter.

Fill in the Blanks

1. source code -> translator -> machine code

Hint: Type the name of the software that sits in the middle and converts the code.

2. assembly code -> assembler -> machine code

Hint: Type the translator that is used for assembly language.

3. The CPU can only run machine code

Hint: Type the kind of code that the CPU can run directly.

4. Types: assembler, compiler, interpreter

Hint: Type the missing translator type that converts a whole high-level program into an executable file.

5. input: source code output: machine code

Hint: Type what a translator produces from the source code.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A language ← 'Python'

B translator ← 'assembler'

C output ← 'machine code'

D OUTPUT translator

Line B — Python is a high-level language, so it is translated by a compiler or an interpreter. An assembler only translates assembly language. The line should be translator ← 'interpreter'.

Question 2

A translator ← 'compiler'

B language ← 'assembly'

C output ← 'machine code'

Line A — Assembly language is translated into machine code by an assembler, not a compiler. The line should be translator ← 'assembler'.

Question 3

A source ← 'high-level code'

B translator ← 'compiler'

C output ← translate(source)

D cpu_runs ← 'source code'

Line D — The CPU can only run machine code, so it cannot run source code directly. The line should be cpu_runs ← 'machine code'.

Question 4

A REPEAT

B machine ← translate(line)

C CPU.run(line)

D UNTIL no more lines

Line C — The line of source code must be translated first, and the CPU runs the machine code produced. It should be CPU.run(machine), not CPU.run(line).

Question 5

A source ← 'game.c'

B translator ← 'compiler'

C source ← translator(machine)

D SAVE machine AS 'game.exe'

Line C — A translator takes source code as input and gives machine code as output. The line has them the wrong way round. It should be machine ← translator(source).

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