Difference between Compiler, Interpreter, and Assembler

7 min readMay 16, 2021

COMPILER

A compiler is a computer program that changes source code written in programming language into machine language and executes it. Ordinarily, Compilers can take time since they ought to decipher high-level language to lower-level machine language at once and after that spare the executable question code to the memory. Moreover in a compiler, after changing all the code at once a mistake report for the total program is generated. Compilers can be classified based on what work it performs or how it has been developed. Compilers can be classified as single-pass, load-and-go, investigating, multi-pass and optimization. Compilation is performed in stages : lexical analyzer, syntax analyzer, semantic analyzer, intermediate code generator, code optimizer, symbol table and error handle.

HOW DOES A COMPILER WORK ?

Lexical Analysis — Convert a program into sequence of of tokens.

Syntax Analysis — Recover the structure portrayed by utilizing arrangement of tokens from past scanner.

Semantic Analysis — Ensures program has a well-defined meaning.

IR Generation — Compilers produce an explicit low-level or machine-like intermediate representation which ought to be simple to deliver and it ought to be simple to decipher into the target machine.

IR Optimization — The compiler uses a variety of ways to enhance the efficiency of the code.

Code Generation — The compiler converts the optimized intermediate code to the machine code dedicated to the target machine.

ADVANTAGES OF COMPILER

Source code isn’t included, hence compiled code is more secure than interpreted code.
Tends to deliver faster than interpreting source code.
Produces an executable file, and therefore the program can be run with the source code.

DISADVANTAGES OF COMPILER

Object code ought to be delivered before a last executable record, this could be a slow process.
The source code must be 100% correct for the executable record to be created.

INTERPRETER

In computer science, an interpreter is a computer program that specifically executes, informational composed in a programming or scripting language, without compiling them into a machine language program.

An Interpreter is a program that takes input as a source program, together with information for the program, and interprets the source program instruction by instruction.

HOW DOES INTERPRETER WORK ?

Well, inside the interpreter, four things happen : i. Lexing — The lexer breaks the line of code into tokens. ii. Parsing- The parser employments these tokens to produce a structure, here, an Unique Language structure Tree, to portray the relationship between these tokens. iii. Compiling- The compiler turns this AST into code object(s). iv. Translating- The translator executes each code.

FEATURES OF INTERPRETER :

Some interpreter offers some pretty cool features such as Python interpreter offers :

Interactive editing
History substitution
Code completion on systems with support for read line.

SELF-INTERPRETER :

It is a programming language translator which is composed in a language which can translate itself. For Example- BASIC interpreter written in BASIC. They are related to self-hosting compilers. A few languages have an exquisite and self-interpreter such as Lisp and Prolog.

NEED OF AN INTERPRETER :

The primary and imperative need of an interpreter is to translate source code from high-level language to machine language. However, for this reason Compiler is additionally there to satisfy this condition.

The compiler could be a exceptionally capable apparatus for creating programs in high-level language. In any case, there are a few demerits related with the compiler. In case the source code is gigantic in measure, at that point it might take hours to compile the source code, which is able essentially increment the compilation time. Here, Interpreter plays its role. They can cut this huge compilation duration. They are outlined to translate single instruction at a time and execute them immediately.

ADVANTAGES OF INTERPRETER

Easier to debug than a compiler.
Easier to make multi-platform code, as each distinctive stage would have an mediator to run the same code.
Useful for prototyping computer program and testing fundamental program rationale.

DISADVANTAGES OF INTERPRETER

Source code is required for the program to be executed, and this source code can be studied making it insecure.
Interpreters are by and large slower than compiled programs due to the per-line interpretation strategy.

ASSEMBLER

An assembler is a program that takes basic computer instructions and changes them into a design of bits that the computer processor can utilize to perform its fundamental operations. Moreover, language utilized to program the constructing agent is referred to as assembly language. Assembler changes over source code to a protest code first at that point it changes over the protest code to machine language with the assistance of the linker programs.

TYPES OF ASSEMBLERS :

Assemblers are classified based on the number of times it takes them to examined the source code before interpreting it; there are both single-pass and multi-pass assemblers. In addition, a few high-end constructing agents give improved usefulness by empowering the utilize of control explanations, information deliberation administrations and giving back for object-oriented programming structures.

HOW DOES IT WORK :

Most computers come with a set of assemblers that compare to the essential machine operations that the computer can perform. For case, a “Stack” instruction causes the processor to move a string of bits from a area within the processor’s memory to a uncommon holding put called a enlist. Accepting the processor has at slightest eight registers, each numbered, the taking after instruction would move the esteem (string of bits of a certain length) at memory area 3000 into the holding place called register 8:

THE ASSEMBLER COMPILES THE CODE IN PHASES LISTED BELOW:

It takes the source code and runs a preprocessor that parses the whole code, and applies the directives within the code. You’ll be able effectively recognize orders, as they begin with #, such as #ifdef, #endif, #define, #include and others. Amid the preprocessing phase, the assembler recognizes the language structure mistakes, loads and forms the included records. The result could be a processed language structure tree that does not contain orders any longer, as it were informational, pragmas, and statements.
The assembler collects large scale definitions and stores their language structure tree so that later it can utilize them when macros are invoked with their real parameters.
The assembler goes through the processed sentence structure tree and radiates code. Amid this operation, it ought to assess expressions, resolve symbols and identifiers to their genuine values. Because the assembler advances from the primary line to the final, it may happen that it cannot get the value of an identifier which is characterized some place later within the code.
The constructing agent goes through all fixup passages and settle images that were not characterized within the past stage. Of course, it might discover unknows images. On the off chance that this happens, the constructing agent reports an mistake.

ADVANTAGES OF ASSEMBLER :

Exceptionally quick in deciphering gathering language to machine code as 1 to 1 relationship.
Assembly code is regularly exceptionally effective (and thus fast) since it could be a low level language.
Assembly code is reasonably simple to get it due to the utilize of English-like mental aides.

DISADVANTAGES OF ASSEMBLERS :

Assembly language is composed for a certain instruction set and/or processor.
Assembly tends to be optimized for the equipment it’s planned for, meaning it is frequently incompatible with diverse equipment.
Many assembly code is required to do generally basic tasks, and complex programs require huge of programming time.

Difference Between Assembler, Compiler And Interpreter

A compiler is a computer program that changes over programs composed in a high level language into machine language. An interpreter is a software that translates a high level language program into machine language whereas an assembler is a program that changes over programs composed in get together language into machine language.