GCSE - IDE and Translators

Any program written in a ​ (a)   language (such as Python or Java) is known as ​ (b)   . However, computers cannot understand this. Before it can be run, ​ (c)   must first be translated into a form which a computer understands - this form is called object code.

A ​ (d)   is a program that converts source code into object code. Generally, there are three types:

• * ​ (e)  

• * interpreters

• * assemblers

• high-level
• source code
• translator
• compilers

​ (a)   programming languages are user-friendly, abstracting complex hardware details to boost developer productivity and software portability. However, their abstraction leads to slower execution and less hardware control.

​ (b)   languages, in contrast, provide fast performance and ​ (c)   , ideal for ​ (d)   . Yet, they demand more expertise, carry a higher risk of ​ (e)   , and are less portable, requiring a thorough understanding of the underlying system architecture.

• High-level
• Low-level
• deep hardware control
• system-critical applications
• bugs

Label the following diagram correctly

c

d

e

Interpreter

Machine code

Easy for programmer to understand

Computer's own language

High level language

Binary numbers (All 1s and 0s)

Organise these options into the right categories

Groups:

(a) Compilers

,

(b) Interpreters

• 1. Translates all source code to object code at once.

• 1. Quick error detection during execution.

• 1. Executes instructions immediately.

• 1. Doesn't produce executable files.

• 1. Compiled code is platform-specific.

• 1. Does not optimise code.

• 1. Errors detected after compilation.

• 1. Produced programs run quickly.

• 1. Code must be recompiled for changes.

• 1. Generates executable files.

• 1. Source code must be distributed.

• 1. Requires significant memory for compilation.

• 1. Runs slower due to on-the-fly translation.

• 1. Optimises code for speed and memory.

• 1. Translates code one instruction at a time.

• 1. Needs translation every run.

What does IDE stand for?

Match the following

• Debugging Tools

• 1. Software that provides a space for programmers to write and edit code, often equipped with features like automatic line numbering, colour coding, and auto-suggestions, but not typically designed to identify errors.

• Editors

• 1. Tools that assist in the identification and resolution of programming errors by allowing the examination of variable values and program conditions at specific points during execution, and highlighting syntax errors or the exact locations of errors in the code.

• Runtime Environments

• 1. Special software that allows programs to run on computers for which they weren't specifically designed, creating a virtual machine to emulate different computer systems, facilitating the development of programs across different platforms.

Label the following elements of an IDE

b

Debugger

Variable tracing

• Colour coding

Run-time environment

Label the following elements of an IDE

a

c

e

• Automatic line numbering

• Auto-indent

Variable tracing

Run-time environment

Error diagnostics

Debugger

Label the following elements of an IDE

a

b

c

d

Editor

Run-time environment

Variable tracing

Debugger