Which of the following best describes a compiler?
a) It is a program that converts machine code into high-level statements.
b) It is a program that executes a program written in a high-level language
c) It is a program that converts a program written in a high-level language into machine code.
d) It is a program that converts a program written in a high-level language into machine code and executes the resulting code.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
c) It is a program that converts a program written in a high-level language into machine code.
Explanation:
A compiler is a specialized software tool that translates source code written in a high-level programming language (such as C, C++, or Java) into machine code (binary code) that a computer’s processor can understand and execute. This process enables developers to write human-readable code that can later be transformed into an efficient, executable program.
When a program is compiled, the compiler performs multiple stages of processing:
- Lexical Analysis – The source code is scanned and broken into tokens (keywords, identifiers, operators, etc.).
- Syntax Analysis – The compiler checks if the arrangement of tokens follows the rules (grammar) of the programming language.
- Semantic Analysis – Ensures logical correctness, like proper variable usage and type checking.
- Intermediate Code Generation – The compiler may generate an intermediate representation of the code, making optimization easier.
- Optimization – The compiler refines the code for better performance.
- Code Generation – Finally, the machine code (binary instructions) is generated.
- Linking & Loading – The compiled object files are linked together to create an executable program.
Unlike interpreters, which execute code line by line, compilers convert the entire source code into machine code before execution. This leads to faster program execution since the compilation step is completed beforehand.
Why Not the Other Options?
- Option (a) is incorrect because a compiler converts high-level code to machine code, not the other way around.
- Option (b) is incorrect because compilers do not execute programs; they only translate them.
- Option (d) is incorrect because while a compiler translates the program, it does not execute the resulting machine code—that’s the job of an interpreter or operating system.
Now, I’ll generate an image representing the compilation process.
Here is an image illustrating the compilation process, showing the different stages involved in converting high-level programming code into machine code. Let me know if you need any modifications or further explanations!
