Translators - SS1 ICT Lesson Note

Translators are software programs or tools that convert programming code written in one programming language into another, typically a lower-level language that can be executed by a computer.

Translators play a crucial role in software development by enabling programmers to write code in a higher-level, human-readable language and then transforming it into machine-executable code. Translators are software tools that convert high-level programming languages into machine code that the computer's hardware can understand and execute. 

Types of Translators

1. Compiler: A compiler is a translator that converts the entire source code of a program written in a high-level programming language into machine code or a lower-level intermediate language. The resulting compiled code can be executed directly by the computer's hardware. Examples of programming languages that use compilers include C, C++, and Ada.
2. Interpreter: An interpreter translates and executes the source code line by line, without creating a separate compiled output. It reads the code, translates it, and runs it in real-time. Languages like Python, Ruby, and JavaScript are often executed using interpreters.
3. Assembler: Assemblers are translators that convert assembly language code into machine code. Assembly language is a low-level symbolic representation of machine code, making it more human-readable than raw binary machine code. Assemblers are commonly used for programming microcontrollers and embedded systems.
4. Preprocessor: A preprocessor is a tool that processes the source code before it is passed to the compiler. It performs tasks like macro expansion, file inclusion, and conditional compilation. The C preprocessor is a well-known example that enhances the capabilities of the C programming language.
5. Linker: A linker is responsible for combining various object files and libraries generated by the compiler into a single executable program. It resolves references between different parts of a program and produces an executable file that can be run by the operating system.
6. Loader: A loader is a program that loads executable files into memory for execution. It handles tasks such as memory allocation, relocation of addresses, and initializing variables before the program starts running.