A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following describes a compiler?

1. A tool that executes code line-by-line

2. A program that converts high-level language into object code

3. A method of debugging code

4. A tool for memory management

The correct answer is: A program that converts high-level language into object code

A compiler is essentially a program designed to translate high-level programming languages, which are more abstract and user-friendly, into object code or machine code, which can be executed directly by a computer's hardware. This process typically involves several stages, such as lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, optimization, and finally, code generation, which combines to produce efficient executable code from the higher-level instructions written by developers. This role is crucial in software development as it allows programmers to write in a language that is easier to understand, while the compiler handles the complexities of translating that code into a format the computer can read and execute. The ability to perform extensive optimizations during this conversion process can also improve the performance of the resulting executable code. Other options describe different concepts. For instance, a tool that executes code line-by-line refers to an interpreter, which operates differently by processing code one instruction at a time. Debugging encompasses methods for identifying and fixing errors in code, and memory management involves handling the allocation, use, and release of memory during program execution. These functionalities are distinct from the primary role of a compiler, which focuses solely on code translation.