2.5 (languages & IDEs)

what is a high level language?

a programming language similar to natural human language

examples of a high level language?

Python, C++, Java

advantages of a high level language?

easy to learn, quicker to write and debug, can work on different types of processors

disadvantages of a high level language?

slower to execute (as they need to be translated to machine code) and have less control over hardware + memory

what is a low level language?

code that do not resemble natural human language

what are the 2 types of low level languages ?

machine code and assembly language

benefits of a low level language?

machine code needs no translator and assembly is quick to translate

low level languages take up less…

memory because their code is shorter

low level languages have direct…

control over hardware and memory

disadvantages of low level languages?

hard for humans to read/write (more prone to errors) and are not universal amongst processors

what is a translator?

converts one (usually high level) language into another

why do we need translators?

so CPU can understand and execute data (as they only understand machine code)

what are the two types of translators?

interpreters and compilers

what does an interpreter do?

translates and executes code line by line

what does a compiler do?

translates code into machine code all at once

what do compilers produce?

an executable file (.exe) so files dont need to be retranslated when run

what do interpreters not produce?

an executable file (.exe) so files DO need to be retranslated when run

interpreters are …

slower to execute (translation must be done)

interpreters must be …

installed on the end user’s computer, so it can be translated

compliers don’t need to be…

installed on the end user’s computer but they cant see the source code

when interpreters encounter an error,

they stop running

when a compiler encounters an error,

it is reported in an error at the end of compilation

what does an IDE stand for?

an integrated development environment

what do IDEs do?

provide programmers with tools for creating, editing, debugging and running programs

what does an editor do?

allows high level program code to be entered and edited

IDEs have a run time environment which…

lets programs to run on all types of computers

editors have…

auto-indent, colour coding functions, autocorrect, numbered lines, auto suggestion

IDEs have error diagnostics which…

highlights errors, stops program running at a line of code to report an error, shows type of error and line of code

IDEs also have a…

translator (translates high level source code into machine code)