Compilers, Interpreters and Assemblers

Past paper questions

1. Question 1H446/012 marks

   State two benefits of using an interpreter.

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   Easier/faster to debug/fix errors/maintain Easier/faster to test code line by line Code will still run until the first error Code is portable across different architectures (2 marks - 1 per bullet)

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   012/ 2
2. Question 2H446/012 marks

   State two benefits of using a compiler.

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   Do not need to distribute source code // protects intellectual property Do not need run-time environment // code is not re-translated each time it runs Faster run-time (once compiled) Produces an executable file Code is optimised (2 marks - 1 per bullet)

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   012/ 2
3. Question 3H446/012 marks

   Beth records how many steps she has completed over a seven-day period. She stores the total number of steps for each day in a text file. Beth would like a program that will take the values from the text file and then calculate the average number of steps per day. Beth needs to translate her code using a compiler or an interpreter. Describe one benefit to Beth of using a compiler instead of an interpreter.

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   Only needs to be translated once… saving time when the program is run Generates an executable file … doesn't need a compiler / interpreter to run it Reports all errors (syntax)… to assist with debugging The program may run faster…as the executable code is run directly by the CPU (2 marks - 1 per bullet)

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4. Question 4H446/012 marks

   All source code needs to be translated into object code using a translator. A software development company has written a new computer game in a high-level language. Identify which type of translator would be the most suitable for the computer game and give a reason why.

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   Compiler Would protect their source code // keep their IP secret Meaning competitors cannot steal their ideas Would mean the game would run quicker (2 marks - 1 for type, 1 for reason)

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5. Question 5H446/014 marks

   Tick (✓) one box in each row to indicate which type of translator is being used.

   	Compiler	Interpreter	Assembler
   Creates an executable file
   Creates one line of object code for each line of source code
   Translates all the high-level code at once
   A program needs to be translated each time it is run

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   Creates an executable file - Compiler (or Assembler) Creates one line of object code for each line - Interpreter Translates all high-level code at once - Compiler A program needs to be translated each time - Interpreter (4 marks - 1 per row)

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   01234/ 4
6. Question 6H446/01 · June 20224 marks

   Explain two differences between a compiler and an interpreter.

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   Compiler translates code all at once/before it's executed, Interpreter translates code line by line / during runtime Compiler produces executable file for reuse, Interpreter needs to re-translate next time program is run Compiler lists all errors, Interpreter stops at the first error Compiled programs have source code hidden, Interpreted programs have source code visible (4 marks - mark in pairs, 2 differences with explanations)

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   01234/ 4