What is language translator?

What is language translator?

A computer only understands instructions in machine code. It is difficult to write computer program directly in machine code. Today, mostly the programs are written in high level languages such as c/c++ and basic

The program written in high level language must be translated into machine code before running on the computer. A type of system software that is used to translate the program written in high level language into machine code is called language translator. The language translator is also known as language processor every language has its own language translator program

Types of Language Translators

The language processors are divided into three types.

• Compiler
• Interpreter
• Assembler

Compiler

The language translator program that translates the complete source program into machine code as a whole is called compiler. The c and c++ compilers are best examples of compilers.

The program translated into machine code is called the object program. The source code is translated into object code successfully if it is free of errors. If there are any errors in the source code, the compiler specifies the errors at the end of compilation. The errors must be removed before the compiler can successfully compile the source code. The object program can be executed a number of times without translating it again.

The translating process of compiler is shown in the figure below

SOURCE CODE                   COMPILER                           OBJECT CODE

Interpreter

The language translator program that translates the source code into machine code statement by statement is called interpreter. It translates one statement of source program into machine code and executes it immediately before translating the next declaration. It also displays an error message the GWBASIC is an example of an interpreter program.

The main advantage of interpreter is that it makes easier to detect and correct errors in the source program.

The main disadvantages of interpreter are:

For this purpose you must have a translator program permanently in your computer.

Assembler

The language translator program that translates the program written is assembly language into machine code is called assembler.

Differentiate between compiler & interpreter

The main difference between compiler and interpreter are as follows:

Compiler	Interpreter
It translates source code into object code as a whole	It translates the sources code into machine code statement-by-statement
it creates an object file	It does not create an object file
Program execution is very file	Program execution is slow
Translator program is not required to translate the program each time you want to run the program.	Translator program is required to translate the program each time you want to run the program
It is not easier to correct  the errors in the source code	It is easier to correct the errors in the source code
Most of the high level programming languages have compiler program	A few high level programming languages have interpreter program.