Language Translator Programs.
Computer programs consist of sets of instructions written in programming languages that must be translated by a language translator into the computer’s own machine language before they can be processed, or executed, by the CPU.
Computer programs consist of sets of instructions written in programming languages that must be translated by a language translator into the computer’s own machine language before they can be processed, or executed, by the CPU.
Programming language translator programs (or language processors) are known by a variety of names. An assembler translates the symbolic instruction codes of programs written in an assembler language into machine language instructions, while a compiler translates high-level language statements.
An interpreter is a special type of compiler that translates and executes each statement in a program one at a time, instead of first producing a complete machine language program, like compilers and assemblers do. Java is an example of an interpreted language. Thus, the program instruction in Java applets are interpreted and executed on-the-fly as the applet is being executed by a client PC.
Programming Tools
Many language translator programs are enhanced by a graphical programming interface and a variety of built-in capabilities or add-on packages. Language translators have always provided some editing and diagnostic capabilities to identify programming errors or bugs.
An interpreter is a special type of compiler that translates and executes each statement in a program one at a time, instead of first producing a complete machine language program, like compilers and assemblers do. Java is an example of an interpreted language. Thus, the program instruction in Java applets are interpreted and executed on-the-fly as the applet is being executed by a client PC.
Programming Tools
Many language translator programs are enhanced by a graphical programming interface and a variety of built-in capabilities or add-on packages. Language translators have always provided some editing and diagnostic capabilities to identify programming errors or bugs.
However, many language translator programs now include powerful graphics-oriented programming editors and debuggers. These programs help programmers identify and minimize errors while they are programming. Such programming tools provide a computer-aided programming environment or workbench.
Their goal is to decrease the drudgery of programming while increasing the efficiency and productivity of programmers. Other programming tools include diagramming packages, code generators, libraries or reusable objects and program code, and prototyping tools. Many of these same tools are part of the toolkit provided by computer-aided software engineering (CASE) packages.
