Compiler: Difference between revisions
Content added Content deleted
(improve the description) |
(added some wp links; some rephrasing) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Category:Encyclopedia]] |
|||
[[Category:Encyclopedia]]A compiler reads the source code of a program, and produces machine code, [[bytecode]], or a transformation of the source into another form (e.g., into a language like [[C]]). |
|||
A compiler reads the source code of a program, and produces either [[wp:Machine code|machine code]] (instructions in a suitable format for the [[wp:Central processing unit|CPU]] to execute), [[bytecode]], or a translation of the source into some other form (often into a different language, i.e. [[:Category:C|C]] to [[:Category:Assembly|assembly]]). |
|||
When generating object code, it is often the case that the resulting code must be then passed to a linking stage for conversion into an executable form. The linking stage is necessary for resolving references to libraries of code and adding any extra executable runtime that is required. |
When generating [[wp:Object file|object code]], it is often the case that the resulting code must be then passed to a [[wp:Linker (computing)|linking stage]] for conversion into an executable form. The linking stage is necessary for resolving references to libraries of code and adding any extra executable runtime that is required. Depending on the compiler in use, sometimes the linker is a separate program from the compiler; other times, the compiler handles the linking itself. |
||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
Revision as of 03:05, 1 November 2009
A compiler reads the source code of a program, and produces either machine code (instructions in a suitable format for the CPU to execute), bytecode, or a translation of the source into some other form (often into a different language, i.e. C to assembly).
When generating object code, it is often the case that the resulting code must be then passed to a linking stage for conversion into an executable form. The linking stage is necessary for resolving references to libraries of code and adding any extra executable runtime that is required. Depending on the compiler in use, sometimes the linker is a separate program from the compiler; other times, the compiler handles the linking itself.