A is a software tool that converts high-level programming code written in a specific programming language into low-level machine code that can be understood by the computer's hardware. It performs this task through a series of stages, starting with , also known as scanning, where the source code is divided into individual tokens such as keywords, identifiers, and operators.
After lexical analysis, the compiler moves on to , also called parsing, which checks the arrangement and structure of the tokens to ensure they comply with the grammar rules of the programming language. This phase helps identify any syntax errors and builds a parse tree.
Once the syntax analysis is completed, the compiler proceeds to , where it analyzes the meaning and context of the code. This phase verifies the validity of the code based on specific language rules and performs type checking to ensure proper data compatibility.
Once the semantic analysis is finished, the compiler moves on to , which translates the high-level code into machine code, assembly code, or an intermediate representation. This translation process involves transforming the code into a series of instructions that the computer's hardware can execute.
An optimizer is a crucial component of the compiler, as it analyzes the generated code and applies various techniques to improve its efficiency. techniques include reducing code size, eliminating redundant instructions, and reordering instructions to improve execution speed.
In contrast to a compiler, an reads and executes the source code line by line, without converting it into an intermediary form. It performs lexical and syntax analysis, semantic analysis, and code generation on the fly, without generating machine code ahead of time.
An , on the other hand, is responsible for converting assembly language code, a low-level symbolic representation, into machine code. It performs the translation directly and is commonly used for programming microprocessors and other embedded systems.
Finally, the is a separate tool that combines multiple object files and libraries into a single executable or shared library. It resolves references to functions and data that are defined in different files, ensuring that the program can be executed correctly.
