What is a Language Translator?
Language Translators are programs that convert high-level programming languages (like C, Java) into machine language (binary code – 0s and 1s) so that the computer can understand and execute the instructions.
Why Do We Need Translators?
- Computers only understand machine language.
- Programmers write code in high-level or assembly language.
- Translators convert this code into machine-readable form.
Types of Language Translators
1. Compiler
- Converts the whole program into machine code at once.
- If there are any errors, it shows them after translation.
Example Languages: C, C++
Advantages:
- Fast execution after compilation.
- Optimized code.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to find errors during writing.
- Needs more memory.
2. Interpreter
- Converts and runs the program line by line.
- Shows errors immediately when it finds them.
Example Languages: Python, BASIC
Advantages:
- Easy to find and fix errors.
- Good for learning and testing.
Disadvantages:
- Slower than compiler.
- Needs to interpret every time the program runs.
3. Assembler
- Converts assembly language into machine language.
Assembly Language Example: MOV A, B
Advantages:
- Helps work directly with hardware.
- Code is fast and small.
Disadvantages:
- Hard to write and understand.
- Not portable (works on limited systems).
Comparison Table:
| Translator Type | Converts From | Converts To | Works On | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compiler | High-level language | Machine language | Whole program | Fast |
| Interpreter | High-level language | Machine language | Line by line | Slow |
| Assembler | Assembly language | Machine language | Whole program | Fast |
Summary Points:
- Computers need translators to understand human-written code.
- Three main types: Compiler, Interpreter, and Assembler.
- Compiler = fast, Interpreter = easy for testing, Assembler = low-level coding.