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LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR

When we write programs using high-level languages like Python, Java, or C++ or even using assembly
language, these programs need to be understood by the computer. However, the computer doesn't
understand these languages directly. It only understands machine language, which consists of binary
code (0s and 1s). To make the program understandable to the computer, we need to use a special
kind of program called a translator.

There are three main types of translators used to convert high-level or assembly language programs
into machine language: assemblers, compilers and interpreters.

Assembler

An assembler is a program used to translate assembly language into machine language so that the
computer can understand it. The assembler enables the computer to convert the assembly language
instructions into machine code, i.e., 0’s and 1’s.

Compiler

A compiler is a program that converts the entire source program written in high-level language into

machine language before executing it. It converts the entire program into machine language at once.
It displays the errors for the whole program together.

Interpreter

An interpreter is also a separate program that converts the entire source program written in high-
level language into machine language before executing it. It translates and executes one statement
at a time. It reads a code statement, converts it to one or more machine language instructions and

then executes them. It displays the errors one line at a time and it goes to the next line only after the
error is corrected.
Each of these translators plays a crucial role in making sure that the programs we write in languages
that are easier for humans to understand can be translated into a language the computer can process

and execute.

WORKING OF LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS

The programs written in a high-level language or assembly language must be translated into machine
language by using a translator called an assembler, compiler and interpreter.

3 × 2 = 6 Machine Code (00110)

Input Output
High-level Language or Language Machine
Assembly Language Translator Language

Introduction to Programming 65