Translator

  • It is a computer program that translates high level programming language code into machine code.
  • Three type of translate programs are available.

[1] Interpreter:

  • An Interpreter is a computer program that performs translation of high level programming code into the machine language.
  • It converts one line at a time and then executes it.
  • First it converts source code into and intermediary code and then executes it statement by statement.
  • An Interpreter program executes slower than compiled program.
  • If an error is found, it stops translation.

interpretation[2] Assembler:

  • An assembler is a one type of translator program.
  • It converts assembly language program into the machine language code.
  • It scans all the mnemonic op-code into the machine code.
  • An assembler generates object code from the assembly language code.

[3] Compiler:

  • A Compiler is a computer program that converts high level language code in to machine code.
  • It translates the whole program at a time.
  • Since, the whole program is converted at a time, it executes much faster.
  • After translation, the compiler generates error report if any error is found.
  • Converted program code is also known as object code.

compilationDifference: Compiler v/s Interpreter:

Compiler Interpreter
It compiles the whole program at a time. It converts source program one line at a time.
Its execution speed is faster compare to interpreter. Since it converts the code line by line, execution speed is slow.
It first converts whole program and shows error reports at last if any error is found. It stops translation as soon as it found error.
Performance of the compiled program is better than the interpreted program. Performance is poor compare to compiled program.
It does not provide facility to stop and resume compilation process. It can be stop and resume during the interpretation.