A compiler isa)A program that places programs into memory and prepares...
Explanation:
The correct answer is option 'C': a compiler is a program that accepts a program written in a high-level language and produces an object program. Let's understand this in detail.
What is a Compiler?
A compiler is a software tool that translates a high-level programming language into a low-level programming language or machine language. It takes the entire source code of a program as input and produces an executable file or object code as output.
How does a Compiler work?
The process of compilation involves several stages:
1.
Lexical Analysis: The compiler breaks the source code into tokens such as keywords, identifiers, operators, and constants.
2.
Syntax Analysis: It checks the syntax of the source code by constructing a parse tree or syntax tree. This step ensures that the code follows the grammar rules of the programming language.
3.
Semantic Analysis: The compiler performs semantic checks to ensure that the program is logically correct. It checks for variable declarations, type compatibility, and function/procedure calls.
4.
Intermediate Code Generation: The compiler generates an intermediate representation of the source code, which is a low-level code independent of the target machine.
5.
Code Optimization: The compiler applies various optimization techniques to improve the efficiency of the generated code. This includes removing redundant code, constant propagation, loop optimization, etc.
6.
Code Generation: Finally, the compiler translates the intermediate code into the target machine language. It generates object code, which can be directly executed by the computer's processor.
Why is option 'C' the correct answer?
Option 'C' states that a compiler is a program that accepts a program written in a high-level language and produces an object program. This aligns with the definition and functionality of a compiler. It takes the high-level code and transforms it into an object program, which can be executed on the target machine.
Option 'A' is incorrect because the process of placing programs into memory and preparing them for execution is handled by the operating system, not the compiler.
Option 'B' is incorrect because assembly language is already a low-level language, and a compiler's purpose is to translate high-level languages into machine language.
Option 'D' is incorrect because a compiler does not execute the source program itself. It only translates it into machine language for execution.
In conclusion, a compiler is a program that translates high-level programming language into machine language and produces an object program.