Concept:
Computers understand only machine language consisting of binary digits (0 and 1). Programmers often write instructions in symbolic languages such as assembly language. These symbolic instructions must be translated into machine code before execution.
Step 1: Understand assembly language.
Assembly language uses mnemonic symbols such as:
verbatim
ADD
SUB
MOV
MUL
verbatim
These symbols are easier for programmers to understand than binary code.
Step 2: Role of an assembler.
An assembler converts assembly language instructions into machine language instructions that can be executed by the computer.
Step 3: Differentiate from other translators.
Compiler translates high-level language programs into machine code.
Interpreter translates and executes one statement at a time.
Linker combines different program modules.
Only the assembler converts symbolic assembly instructions into machine language.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Therefore, the correct answer is assembler.
Hence, option (B) is correct.