Translation from High Level Language to Machine Language

Translation from High Level Language to Machine Language

• Computers understand only binary instructions (0s and 1s). However, humans prefer to write programs using high‒level languages like C or Python. Therefore, several translation steps are required before the hardware can execute a program.

Step 1: High‒level language

■ This is a program written in a language humans can easily understand.

■ Example (in C):

sum = a + b;

■ Explanation:

This statement adds two numbers, a and b and stores the result in sum.

Step 2: Assembly language

■ The compiler translates the high‒level language into assembly language ‒ a low‒level, human‒readable form of machine instructions.

■ Example (Assembly code for MIPS) :

add $t0, $t1, $t2

■ Explanation

 ♦ $t1 → register containing a

 ♦ $t2 → register containing b

 ♦ $t0→ register where result (sum) will be stored

 ♦ add → mnemonic (symbolic name) for addition instruction

So, the above line meAnswer: $t0 = $t1 + $t2

Step 3: Machine language (Binary Code)

■ The assembler now translates this symbolic instruction into machine code ‒ the exact binary pattern that the hardware can execute.

■ Example (in binary) :

000000 01001 01010 01000 00000 100000

Explanation of fields (MIPS instruction format) :

Review Question

1. Explain with an example how a high‒level language statement is translated step‒by‒step into assembly language and then into machine (binary) code.