1. Lexical Analysis:
o The source code is first tested by the compiler's lexer, which breaks it down into tokens (such as keywords, identifiers, operators, and punctuation).
o This step identifies the individual elements of the program.
2. Syntactic and Semantic Analysis:
o The compiler performs syntactic analysis, checking the source code for syntax errors and ensuring it follows the correct language-specific rules.
o If any errors occur, the compiler throws an error and stops the compilation.
o Additionally, the compiler performs semantic analysis to find the meaning of the code.
o It checks for logical errors, such as type mismatches, undeclared variables, and incorrect usage of operators.
3. Optimization:
o Once the code is syntactically correct, the compiler performs low-level optimization to improve performance.
o This may involve reducing memory usage or optimizing code for speed by rearranging instructions or eliminating unnecessary operations.
4. Output Code Generation:
o Finally, the compiler generates machine code corresponding to the original source code.
o The resulting machine code resides in a binary file that the computer's hardware can execute directly.
Why Do We Use Compilers?
* Compilers catch syntax and semantic errors before running the code, saving time and preventing crashes.
* They optimize code for efficient execution, resulting in faster, more compact programs.
Disadvantages of a Compiler:
* Compiled code is platform-dependent, meaning it produces a machine-specific executable file.
* Code compiled on one type of machine won't run on another type without recompilation1.
Reference
1. GeeksforGeeks
2. Built In
3. Wikipedia
