How does the computer understand a program written in high level language?

How does the computer understand a program written in high level language?

Computer programs written in high-level languages are not directly understood by computers, which process data in machine language (binary code - 0s and 1s). Therefore, a translation process is required to convert high-level language code into machine language. This is accomplished through language translators, which can be categorized into three main types:

1. Assembler: Converts code written in assembly language into machine language. Each assembler is specific to a particular microprocessor instruction set.

2. Compiler: Converts the entire source code (high-level language code) into machine code at once. If the code is error-free, it is then executed by the computer. After compilation, the compiler is not needed for the further execution of the program.

3. Interpreter: Translates one line at a time from high-level language to machine language and executes it immediately. This type of translator continuously converts each line every time the program is run.

Summary of steps:

• Write the code in a high-level language (source code).

• Use a translator (compiler or interpreter) to convert the source code to machine code (object code).

• The computer executes the machine code instructions to perform the desired tasks.

This translation process is vital to make high-level programming languages usable, allowing developers to write complex programs efficiently without dealing directly with machine language.