Assembler vs. Compiler

Main Difference

The difference between assembler and compiler is that compiler takes the source code and translates it into the assembly code whereas assembler takes the assembly code generated by the compiler and translates it into the machine code.

Difference Between Assembler and Compiler

Comparison Chart

Assembler vs. Compiler

Two terms that play the most important role in the program execution is compiler and assembler. The job of the compiler is to take the preprocessed source code and translate it into the assembly code. Then the job of an assembler is to takes the assembly code from the compiler and translates it to the machine code. If we talk about the main difference, then the main difference between assembler and compiler is that compiler takes the source code and translates it into the assembly code whereas assembler takes the assembly code generated by the compiler and translates it into the machine code. The program that is written in a source language is read by the compiler. The compiler is a computer program that translates the source code into the assembly language, and this assembly language code is sent to the assembler. There are types of compilers such as single-pass compiler, multi-pass compiler, load and go compiler and debugging and optimization compiler. The assembler takes the assembly code generated by the compiler and translates it into the machine code. The main job of the assembler is to take the data as input and form the relocatable machine code. There is compiler available that perform the task of the assembler and directly generate the machine code but that does not mean we cannot study the functions of assembler. There is a lot of difference between assembly code and machine code. All of these different types of compilers perform different functions and are different on the basis of working. Assembly code is the mnemonic version of machine code whereas machine code uses the binary codes for the representation of operations of a memory address. Two passes are preform in assembler that are the first pass that identifies the assembly code and store that code in the symbol table and then the second pass that scans the code again and performs the operations on the code. There are two steps in which compiling is performed one step is analysis part in which the source code is broken into pieces and perform the intermediate representation. In the synthesis part, the target code forms the intermediate representation. There are phases of the compiler that are a lexical analyzer, syntax analyzer, semantic analyzer, intermediate code generate, a code optimizer, code generator, symbol table, and error handler.

What is a Compiler?

The program that is written in a source language is read by the compiler. The compiler is a computer program that translates the source code into the assembly language, and this assembly language code is sent to the assembler. There are types of compilers such as single-pass compiler, multi-pass compiler, load and go compiler and debugging and optimization compiler. All of these different types of compilers perform different functions and are different on the basis of working. There are two steps in which compiling is performed one step is the analysis part in which the source code is broken into pieces and perform the intermediate representation. In the synthesis part, the target code forms the intermediate representation. There are phases of the compiler that are a lexical analyzer, syntax analyzer, semantic analyzer, intermediate code generates, a code optimizer, code generator, symbol table, and error handler.

Assembler and complier are not the same processes, but they do the same work that is they generate the object code of a source program and hands it to the linker. The main process of the linker is to take the object code and generate the executable code for the program after this work of linker is finished, and it assigns the code to the loader. There are some built-in libraries and header files in a high-level language. There are some library functions which are defined in built-in libraries. These functions are linked to a library function by the linker. The compiler is being informed in the case if library function is not found of the particular function. When there is a large program, then it is divided into smaller programs that are known as modules. Object modules are generated when these modules are compiled or assembled. Linker has to combine the whole program together. There are two types of linker one is linkage editor that generates relocated, executable module and other is a dynamic linker that linkage the external modules until the load module is generated. The program that has to be executed is present in main memory. Loader, load the executable file in the operating system. Loader allocates the memory space to the executable module in the main memory. There are three types of loader that are: absolute loader, relocatable loader, and dynamic run time loading. These three loaders have different loading approaches that are absolute loading approach, relocatable loading approach, and dynamic run time loading approach. The absolute loader loads the executable file of the program into the same main memory location. In absolute loader, the programmer must be aware of the assignment. Relocating loader compile or assemble actual main memory address. Dynamic run time loader, absolute memory program is generated when an instruction is executed.

What is Assembler?

The assembler takes the assembly code generated by the compiler and translates it into the machine code. The main job of the assembler is to take the data as input and form the relocatable machine code. There is compiler available that perform the task of the assembler and directly generate the machine code, but that does not mean we cannot study the functions of assembler. There is a lot of difference between assembly code and machine code. Assembly code is the mnemonic version of machine code whereas machine code uses the binary codes for the representation of operations of the memory address. Two passes are preform in assembler that is the first pass that identifies the assembly code and stores that code in the symbol table and then the second pass that scans the code again and performs the operations on the code.