Edexcel GCSE Computer Science
Glossary top-rated
Compiler
Translates the whole program into machine code at once before the program is run.
1. Code executes quickly (as already translated).
2. Slower to find errors (as all code must be translated).
Interpreter
Translates source code into machine code, line by line when the program is run.
1. Code can run on different platforms/devices (as it's translated on the platform running the program).
2. Source code needs to be provided (so competitors could steal your source code ideas).
Assembler
Translates assembly language source code to machine code.
1. Code can run very quickly and use less memory (as programmer chooses the machine code
instructions).
2. Uses easier to understand assembly language instead of machine code binary values (so programs can
be developed more quickly and with fewer errors).
Translator
A program that translates high-level or assembly language source code into runnable machine code.
Source code
The high-level or assembly language program instructions the programmers type into the development
environment text editor..
Machine code
The low-level set of instructions built into a CPU, e.g. add, compare, branch or move. Each instruction is
represented by a unique binary code, e.g. 0100101.
Assembly language
A low-level programming language that uses short easier to understand mnemonics, like ADD, SUB or
MOV, to represent machine code instructions. Each mnemonic translates directly to a machine code
instruction.
Mnemonics