Translator (computing)

Different types of translators

There are 3 different types of translators 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][4][5]

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.^[6][7][5]

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.^[8][9]

See also

• Binary translator (binary-to-binary, typically code)
• Assembly language translator (low-level source-to-source, code)
• Source-to-source translator (high-level source-to-source, code)
• Rewriter (source-to-source, typically code)
• File converter (binary-to-binary, typically data)
• Transcoder (binary-to-binary, data)

References

Further reading

• 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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