Types of programming language, translators and IDEs

Computer Science · Software. The idea in plain words, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid and a worked example, written and checked by Mega Lecture.

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The idea

A high-level language, such as Python or Java, uses English-like words. It is easy to read, write and debug, and the same code can be used on different types of computer. A low-level language (machine code or assembly language) is close to the hardware. It is harder to write and only works on one type of processor, but it gives direct control of registers and memory locations.

A processor can only run machine code, so all other code needs a translator: an assembler, a compiler or an interpreter.

An IDE (integrated development environment) is software that helps a programmer to write, run and correct program code.

Rules to remember

Assembly language is a low-level language that uses mnemonics such as LDA and ADD. An assembler translates it into machine code.
Compiler: translates the whole high-level program before it runs and produces an executable file.
Compiler: reports all the errors in the code together, after it has tried to translate the whole program.
Interpreter: translates and runs one line at a time, and stops at the first error. It does not produce an executable file.
A compiled program runs without the translator and does not show the source code, so it suits a finished program that is sold.
An interpreter suits development: the error is shown at the line where it happens, so it can be fixed and the code run again quickly.
IDE functions: code editor, run-time environment, translator, error diagnostics, auto-completion, auto-correction and prettyprint.

Common mistake

Students often say that a low-level language needs no translator. Only machine code needs none: assembly language must be translated by an assembler.

Worked example

A student is still writing and testing a program. A company has finished a game and wants to sell it. Which translator suits each of them?

The student will make many errors, so needs each error shown at the line where it happens: an interpreter stops there.
With an interpreter the student can correct that line and run the code again without translating the whole program first.
The company wants customers to run the game without a translator and without seeing the source code.
A compiler produces an executable file that does both of these things.

Answer: The student should use an interpreter. The company should use a compiler.

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