Translator (computing)

A translator or programming language processor is a generic term that can refer to anything that converts code from one computer language into another.[1][2] A program written in high-level language is called source program. These include translations between high-level and human-readable computer languages such as C++ and Java, intermediate-level languages such as Java bytecode, low-level languages such as the assembly language and machine code, and between similar levels of language on different computing platforms, as well as from any of the above to another.[1]

The term is also used for translators between software implementations and hardware implementations (ASICs microchips) of the same program, and from software descriptions of a microchip to the logic gates needed to build it.

Different types of translators

The 3 different types of translators are normally as follows:

Compiler

A compiler is a translator used to convert high-level programming language to low-level programming language. It converts the whole program in one session and reports errors detected after the conversion. The compiler takes time to do its work as it translates high-level code to lower-level code all at once and then saves it to memory. A compiler is processor-dependent and platform-dependent. It has been addressed by alternate names as the following: special compiler, cross-compiler and, source-to-source compiler.[3][1][4]

Interpreter

The interpreter is similar to a compiler, as it is a translator used to convert high-level programming language to low-level programming language. The difference is that it converts the program one line of code at a time and reports errors when detected, while also doing the conversion. An interpreter is faster than a compiler as it immediately executes the code upon reading the code. It is often used as a debugging tool for software development as it can execute a single line of code at a time. An interpreter is also more portable than a compiler as it is processor-independent, you can work between different hardware architectures.[3][1][4]

Assembler

An assembler is a translator used to translate assembly language into machine language. It has the same function as a compiler for the assembly language but works like an interpreter. Assembly language is difficult to understand as it is a low-level programming language. An assembler translates a low-level language, such as an assembly language to an even lower-level language, such as the machine code.[3][1]

References

Thornton, Scott (2017-02-17). "What are compilers, translators, interpreters, and assemblers?". MicrocontrollerTips. Archived from the original on 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
"Translators And Utilities For Program Development". Software Handbook (PDF). Intel Corporation. 1984 [1983]. p. 3-1. 230786-001. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-01-29. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
"Translators: Purpose, Types, Examples & Advantages". Teach Computer Science. 2018-01-11. Archived from the original on 2022-01-09. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
Schuerer, Katja; Letondal, Catherine; Deveaud, Eric (2008-02-04) [2003-01-06]. "Chapter 5. Program execution, Section 5.2. Interpreter and Compiler". Introduction to Programming using Python - Programming Course for Biologists at the Pasteur Institute. pasteur.fr. Pasteur Institute. pp. 37–40. Archived from the original on 2015-11-11. Retrieved 2015-01-07.

Calingaert, Peter (1979) [1978-11-05]. Written at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Horowitz, Ellis (ed.). Assemblers, Compilers, and Program Translation. Computer software engineering series (1st printing, 1st ed.). Potomac, Maryland, USA: Computer Science Press, Inc. ISBN 0-914894-23-4. ISSN 0888-2088. LCCN 78-21905. Archived from the original on 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2020-03-20. (2+xiv+270+6 pages)
Pring-Mill, David (2018-03-04). "Why Hasn't AI Mastered Language Translation?". Singularity Hub. Singularity University. Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
Edwards, Stephen A. (Fall 2013). "Language processors" (PDF). Columbia University. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
Tucker, Allen; Belford, Geneva G. "Computer science". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2020-02-02.

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[Thornton_2017-1] Thornton, Scott (2017-02-17). "What are compilers, translators, interpreters, and assemblers?". MicrocontrollerTips. Archived from the original on 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2020-02-02.

[Intel_1983_SH-2] "Translators And Utilities For Program Development". Software Handbook (PDF). Intel Corporation. 1984 [1983]. p. 3-1. 230786-001. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-01-29. Retrieved 2020-01-29.

[TCS_2018-3] "Translators: Purpose, Types, Examples & Advantages". Teach Computer Science. 2018-01-11. Archived from the original on 2022-01-09. Retrieved 2022-01-09.

[Pasteur_2008-4] Schuerer, Katja; Letondal, Catherine; Deveaud, Eric (2008-02-04) [2003-01-06]. "Chapter 5. Program execution, Section 5.2. Interpreter and Compiler". Introduction to Programming using Python - Programming Course for Biologists at the Pasteur Institute. pasteur.fr. Pasteur Institute. pp. 37–40. Archived from the original on 2015-11-11. Retrieved 2015-01-07.