| Give two features of Machine code | Binary commands
No translation required |
| Give two features of Assembly language | Commands are combinations of English characters
Before running the program it must be translated to MC |
| Give Four advantages Low level language | Runs faster
takes less space
Can use the special features of processor
Can work with the internal components of processor(Register) |
| Give three disadvantages of of low level language | Not portable
Harder to debug
Instruction harder to remember |
| Give three advantages of high level languages | Easier to remember
Portable
Instruction easier to remember |
| Give 5 disadvantages of high level languages | Cannot use special features of processor
Translated MC program will run slower than one written in MC
Translated MC program will be longer than one written in MC
Has to be translated before execution
One high level instruction converts to multiple MC instructions |
| Where are low level languages used ? | Used to write programs that will have to access special features of the processor
Eg: Device driver |
| Where are high level languages used ? | When writing simple small programs
Eg: Calculating payrolls |
| What is source code ? | Programs written by humans |
| What is object code ? | Machine code which is created by a translator |
| What is a translator? | Converts source code into object code |
| Name two translators which can translate from high level to machine code | Interpreter
Compiler |
| Name a translator which translates from Assembly language to machine code | Assembler |
| What are the advantages of an interpreter? | Translates one line at a time and executes the line. Nothing is saved
Easier to debug: If an error is detected it is corrected and translation continues from that point |
| What are the disadvantages of an interpreter ? | Since no executable file of machine code is produced , the interpreted program cannot be used without the interpreter |
| What are the advantages of a compiler? | Translates the entire program into machine code in one session and saves the machine code program on the disk
Compiled program runs faster
Compiled program can run without compiler or source program
Can distribute/sell compiled program without worrying about it being altered |
| What are the disadvantages of a compiler? | Takes time to debug because if an error is detected it must be corrected and recompiled
takes a lot of computer resources |
| Where are compilers and interpreters used and why? | Interpreter is used to debug since it can debug more easier and compilers are used to create machine code program for distribution after debugging |
| What are assemblers? | Converts assembly language to machine code
Works like a compiler, creates machine code programs |
| What are syntax errors ? | Violating the grammatical rules of a language |
| What are logic errors ? | An error in the reasoning used in the program which makes the computer produce a different result from the one that was expected |
| What are the methods of error detection ? | Detected by testing
Running the program with test data and checking if the actual result is the same as expected result
Working through the program using a trace table on paper |
