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Thread ID: 55245 2005-03-06 06:39:00 Compiler and assembler Ninjabear (2948) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
331209 2005-03-06 06:39:00 Are compiler and assembler the same thing?

Complier I think translate what you've typed into instructions so that the processor will know how to execute

An Assembler translates what you've typed into simple english forms

But when you develop a program.Do u assemble then compile?
Ninjabear (2948)
331210 2005-03-06 07:35:00 Development enviroments and compilers these days, normally do the assembler stuff with it. Normally If you just say compile, it will normally assemble it for you.


Links:
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
ILikeLinux (1669)
331211 2005-03-07 03:15:00 A compiler takes text in a programming language such as Algol, FORTRAN, B, APL, PL/I, etc, ad nauseum , and produces a code file which is in a form the machine can use.
High level languages are much easier for humans to use than the real low level binary which is all the computer can understand.

An assembler takes a text file containing a programme written in "Assembly" which uses mnemonics to represent the actual machine operation codes, and produces the actual code which the machine can use. It's somewhat easier for humans to work with the mnemonics (and have the machine calculate offsets, etc) than with the raw code, though it can be done.

A compiler might produce an intermediate file which is passed through an assembler ... this means the compiler writer can concentrate on getting the meaning right.
Graham L (2)
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