Question

Discuss the two methods of converting high-level languages to machine code. Include any advantages or disadvantages that might be associated with these methods.

Answer 1

Two Ways of converting High-Level language to Machine Language

i. Using Interpreter : An interpreter translates high-level instructions into an intermediate form, which it then executes. Interpreter processes the program statement by statement, converting one statement at a time.

                Advantages:

1. It takes less amount of time to analyze the source code

            2. Debugging of the iterpreted language is so simple, since the translation of the program stops whenever the error is met.

            3. It is memory efficient.

            Disdvantages:

                1. Overall Execution time takes longer than compiled code.

ii. Using Compiler: Compiler translates the high-level program to machine language at a time. It generates the Object code (executable file) which is executed later.

Advantages:

1. Compiled Code is more secure, since the sorce code is not included in execution.

            2. Execution times is faster.

            3. Source code is not necessary to execute.

            Disdvantages:

                1. Object code needs to be produced before a final executable file, this can be a slow process.

                2. Debugging is difficult.