Language translators

A language translator is system software which will translate a computer programme written by humans into a machine understandable form. The most elemental form of programming uses only the binary digits 0, 1 which is directly understood by the electronic circuits. A programme written using only binary digits is called a machine language programme.

 

Assembly language provide a significant improvement over machine language. Assembly language programmes are written using mnemonic codes like ADD, STORE, etc., rather than their machine language representations in binary digits. Therefore programming in assembly language is easier. Active directory and active directory management or active directory tool can be made with such programming. However, it needs to be translated into machine language codes. This translation is done by an assembler. Both machine language and assembly language programmes are machine dependent. This means that a programme written for one machine cannot be used in another machine.

 

High level languages, which are closer to English overcame the drawback of machine dependence. A few high level languages are FORTRAN, BASIC, PASCAL, COBOL etc. These languages relive the programmers from being machine specific. However a programme written in a high level language needs to be translated into machine language codes before execution. This translation is done either through compilers or through interpreters.

 

A compiler is a translator which reads an entire programme written in a high level language and coverts it into machine language codes. An interpreter on the otherhand, is a translator which interprets statement by statement, any programme written in a high level language. An interpreter is a very effective tools for programme development as it checks for errors statement by statement in an interactive mode. Exchange Management and Exchange Tools require interpreter.  This allows the programmer to correct the errors statement by statement as he enters them. A compiler on the otherhand, will request the user to enter the entire programming statement and then it will check for errors. Basic language provides a compiler and an interpreter.

 

Other language such as Fortran, cobol and Pascal had only compolers initially. However interpreters for these high level languages are also becoming available, partly due to the popularity enjoyed by micro-computers in the field of computing.