Compiler - GCSE Computer Science Definition

A compiler is a specialised software program that translates the entire source code written in a high-level programming language, like Python or Java, into machine code or binary code, which a computer's processor can understand and execute. For students studying GCSE Computer Science, it's important to note that compilers perform this translation before a program is run, as opposed to interpreters, which do it line-by-line as the program runs. Compilers also optimise the code for better performance and catch any errors in the source code, providing feedback to the programmer. This makes them essential tools for creating efficient and error-free software applications.