Language Processors

Abstract

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• Tools that translates programming languages down the layers of Programming Abstraction

Compiler

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• Translate Programming Language codes to Instruction or an intermediate code like Assembly language in C and Bytecode in Java

Variable Mapping

• Compiler associates variables in program with Register

Preprocessor

• Text substitution tool
• It instructs the Compiler to do required pre-processing like Macro Expansion before the actual compilation

Preprocessor Directives

• Instructions to tell the Preprocessor what kind of library headers it needs to bring in header files, define constants, and create Macro Expansion

Example

Bring header files

• #include <stdio.h>

Define constants

• #define KMS_PER_MILE 1.609

#include <stdio.h> vs #include "stdio.h"

#include <stdio.h> instructs the preprocessor to search for the header file stdio.h in the standard include directories, typically where system libraries reside. In contrast, #include "stdio.h" directs the preprocessor to search for the header file in the current directory first, and if not found, then in the standard include directories.

Assembler

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• Translates Assembly language to Instruction