Understanding Program Translation

Basically, Program Translation is divided into three categories.

1. Natively Compiled Languages
2. Interpreted Languages
3. Hybrid Approach

Natively Compiled Languages

In natively compiled languages, the source code is directly compiled into machine code (native code) by a compiler. This machine code can run directly on the operating system and hardware without requiring any additional software.

Characteristics:

• Highly efficient and fast.
• Commonly used for performance-critical applications like games, operating systems, and enterprise software.

Advantages:

1. Speed: Native code runs directly on hardware, making it very fast.
2. Optimization: Compilers can optimize the code for the specific hardware.
3. Portability of Executables: The compiled machine code runs on the intended platform without needing the source code or a runtime environment.

Disadvantages:

1. Platform Dependency: Native code is specific to the target system (e.g., Windows, Linux). You need to recompile for different platforms.
2. Longer Development Cycle: Compilation and debugging may take more time compared to interpreted languages.

You bake cookies and deliver them directly to your friend’s house. The cookies are ready to eat and require no extra work. If your friend is allergic to gluten (platform incompatibility), you’ll have to bake a new batch from scratch.

Interpreted Languages

Interpreted languages execute the source code line by line at runtime using an interpreter (a software program that translates code into machine-readable instructions on the fly).

Characteristics:

• Slower than compiled languages since code is translated and executed in real time.
• Flexible and often easier to debug due to dynamic typing and other advanced features.

Advantages:

1. Cross-Platform Compatibility: As long as an interpreter is available, the code can run on any platform without recompilation.
2. Ease of Debugging: Errors are caught at runtime, making it easier to test and debug.
3. Dynamic Features: Many interpreted languages support dynamic typing, runtime type checking, and other flexible features.

Disadvantages:

1. Performance: Slower than compiled languages because the code is interpreted line by line.
2. Interpreter Dependency: Requires the interpreter to be installed on the system, adding an extra layer of dependency.

You’re giving your friend cookie instructions over the phone (“Take 1 cup of flour, then add sugar…”) as they bake them step by step. If your friend is slow to follow instructions, it takes forever to finish.

Hybrid Approach

In a hybrid approach, the source code is first compiled into an intermediate representation (like bytecode) instead of native machine code. This intermediate code is then executed by a virtual machine (VM) or interpreter. Some implementations use Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation, where bytecode is further converted into native machine code at runtime.

Examples:

• Java: Compiled into bytecode (via the Java Compiler) and executed on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
• .NET Framework: Converts C# and other languages into intermediate language (IL), executed on the Common Language Runtime (CLR).
• Python: Sometimes uses JIT via frameworks like PyPy.

Advantages:

1. Balance Between Speed and Portability: Bytecode is platform-independent, while JIT compilation improves runtime performance.
2. Runtime Optimization: JIT compilers can optimize the code dynamically based on actual usage patterns.
3. Cross-Platform: Intermediate code can run on any platform with the appropriate VM or runtime environment.

Disadvantages:

1. Slower Than Native Code: Even with JIT, performance is generally slower than purely natively compiled languages.
2. Complexity: Additional layers (bytecode, VM, JIT) add complexity to the runtime environment.

You pre-bake the cookies halfway (bytecode) and freeze them. Your friend puts them in the oven to finish baking when they want to eat. It’s faster than interpreted, but still not as fast as delivering fully baked cookies.