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    A compiler is a program that translates source code written in a high-level programming language (like C, C++, Java) into machine code that a computer can execute directly. This process happens in several stages, ensuring the code is syntactically and semantically correct before producing an executable file.

    Example: For the C programming language, GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) is one of the most widely used compilers. It takes .c source files and compiles them into executable binaries.

    How GCC Works (Compilation Stages):

    1. Lexical Analysis – Breaks the source code into tokens (keywords, identifiers, operators).

    2. Syntax Analysis – Checks the structure of the code and generates an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST).

    3. Semantic Analysis – Validates meaning, checks types, and ensures logical correctness.

    4. Optimization – Improves performance by removing dead code and optimizing instruction order.

    5. Code Generation – Produces assembly code, which is then converted into machine code.

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  2. GeeksForGeeks
    https://www.geeksforgeeks.org › compiler-design › introduction-to-compilers

    Introduction To Compilers - GeeksforGeeks

    May 11, 2023 · compilers are critical tools for software development. They enable developers to write code in high-level programming languages, ensure that the code is correct and efficient, and make it …

    • compilers are critical tools for software development. They enable developers to write code in high-level programming languages, ensure that the code is correc…

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  3. Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Compiler

    Compiler - Wikipedia

    Theoretical computing concepts developed by scientists, mathematicians, and engineers formed the basis of digital modern computing development during World War II. Primitive binary languages evolved because digital devices only understand ones and zeros and the circuit patterns in the underlying machine architecture. In the late 1940s, assembly languages were created to offer a more workable abstraction o…

    Wikipedia · Text under CC-BY-SA license
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  4. IBM
    https://www.ibm.com › think › topics › compiler

    What is a compiler? - IBM

    What is a compiler? A compiler is a type of computer program that converts code from one programming language (the source language) into another …

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  6. Built In
    https://builtin.com › software-engineering-perspectives › compiler

    What Is a Compiler? (Definition, How It Works) | Built In

    • A compiler analyzes the source code and breaks it down into individual instructions that the computer can understand. In other words, a compiler turns human-readable program code into zeroes and ones.
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  7. Britannica
    https://www.britannica.com › technology › compiler

    Compiler | Definition & Facts | Britannica

    Nov 28, 2025 · Compiler, computer software that translates (compiles) source …

    • TechTarget
      https://www.techtarget.com › whatis › definition › compiler

      What is a compiler? | Definition from TechTarget

      Apr 11, 2025 · What is a compiler? A compiler is a special program that translates a programming language's source code into machine code, bytecode or another programming language. The source …

    • sciencenewstoday.org
      https://www.sciencenewstoday.org › what-is-a...

      What Is a Compiler? The Complete Guide to How Code Becomes …

      Nov 6, 2025 · A compiler is one of the most essential components in the world of computer science and programming. It acts as a translator between human-readable programming languages and the binary …

    • Study.com
      https://study.com › academy › lesson › compiler...

      Compiler in Programming | Definition, Types & Examples …

      What is a Compiler in Programming? A compiler is something that is used in computer programming. A compiler is a type of software that converts a high …

    • UMD Department of Computer Science
      https://www.cs.umd.edu › class › Intro.html

      1 What is a Compiler? - cs.umd.edu

      Ostensibly this class is about compilers. It’s right there in the name. And yes, this course is very much about compilers, but really this course is about the design and implementation of programming …

    • Techgeekbuzz
      https://www.techgeekbuzz.com › blog › what-is-compiler

      What is a Compiler? Definition, Phases, and Various Types

      Feb 11, 2025 · A compiler is a program that translates a high-level language source code into machine code or bytecode. This enables a computer to execute the …