C++ Compiler & IDE
What is a Compiler?
A compiler is a software program that converts high-level source into low-level object code in machine language. The process of converting high-level language into machine language is known as compilation.
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The processor executes object code, which indicates when binary high and low signals are required in the arithmetic logic unit of the processor.
Explain
C++ is a high-level language. A high-level programming language understandable by us humans. Its words and phrases similar to English or another human language. But a computer does not understand high-level programming language that ate readable for a human. The computer understands the only binary language that is based on 1’s and 0’s, it is called the machine code.
A program written in the high-level programming language is called a source code. If we want to convert source code into machine code then we need a Software, called compiler or Interpreter that convert high language to machine language
What is the Difference between Compiler and Interpreter?
| Comparison | Compiler | Interpreter |
| Techniques | Convert entire program to machine language | Convert program one statement at a time into machine language |
| Examples | C / C++ languages use compiler | Ruby, Python, Basic use Interpreter |
| Speed | The compiler is Faster than an interpreter | The interpreter is slower than the compiler |
| Debugging | Errors check on Entire program | Errors check on Line By Line of the program generated |
| Memory | More memory due to object code is generated | Use less memory due to no intermediate object code |
A compiler executes four major steps:
Scanning:
In Compiler scanner phase, it reads one character at a time from the source code and keeps track of which character is present in which line.
Lexical Analysis:
In the Compiler Lexical Analysis phase, it converts the sequence of characters that appear in the source code into a series of strings of characters known as tokens.
Syntactic Analysis:
In the Compiler Syntactic analysis phase, it is performed, which involves preprocessing to determine whether the tokens created during lexical analysis are in proper order as per their usage.
Semantic Analysis:
In Compiler Semantic Analysis or context-sensitive analysis is a process in compiler construction, usually after parsing, to gather necessary semantic information (Semantic analysis is the task of ensuring that the declarations and statements of a program are semantically correct) from the source code
There are following top Compiler list for C++.
- Borland C++ / Turbo C++ [Old and most popular IDE]
- Visual C++ [Microsoft Platform]
- Dev C++
- GCC
- Eclipse