Introduction
The compiler works like a computer program used for transforming high-level language into a low-level language without modifying the meaning of a program.
In other words, it acts as an intermediate between machine-readable code and human-understandable language. The various operations that the compiler can perform are lexical analysis, semantic analysis, parsing, etc. The multiple operations consist of different inputs and outputs.
Also See, Specifications of Tokens in Compiler Design
Types of Compiler
There exists a wide variety of compilers. Some of the common types of compilers are:
- Hardware Compiler: A compiler that produces output due to hardware configuration. Example: Xilinx Synthesis Tool (XST)
- Cross Compiler: A compiler that can produce source code in one machine and execute it on the other machine. Example: GNU Compiler Collection (GCC).
- JIT Compiler: This compiler is applicable for advanced programming languages such as python and java.
- Source to Source Compiler: A compiler that transforms the source code of one language into the source code of the other language. Example: Haxe
Also See, Symbol Table Operations and cousins of compiler