Assemblers

Description:

• Assemblers are the group of translators that convert assembly language to machine code for a computer to understand and execute.
• There numerous kinds of assembly languages to support different CPU types and each type needs its own unique assembler.

Compilers

Description:

• Compilers convert high level code into machine code for a computer to understand and execute.

Important Characteristics:

• Translates ALL of the source code at the same time and creates one executable file.
• Is only needed once to create an executable file.
• Returns a whole list of errors for the entire program at the end of the compiling process.

Disadvantages:

• Compiling takes a long time.

Interpreters

Description:

• Interpreters convert high level code into machine code for a computer to understand and execute.

Important Characteristics:

• Translates and runs the source code one instruction at a time, without creating an executable file.
• Needed each time you want to run the program.
• Will return the first error it comes across and then stops. This is useful for debugging and makes it easier to fix mistakes.

Disadvantages:

• Programs run more slowly because the code is being translated as the program is running - one instruction at a time.