Question

Which of the following converts source code to machine code?

• A. Compiler
• B. ANSI
• C. HSP
• D. Interpreter

Hint:

Compiler converts the complete source code into machine code before execution. Interpreter executes the program line by line.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:
A computer can directly understand only machine code, which is written in binary form. Source code written by programmers in high-level languages must be converted into machine code before execution.

Step 1: Understand source code.
Source code is the program written by a programmer using a high-level language such as C, C++, Java, or Python.

Step 2: Understand machine code.
Machine code is the binary instruction format that can be directly executed by the CPU. \[ \text{Machine code} = \text{Binary instructions understood by computer} \]

Step 3: Role of compiler.
A compiler translates the entire source code into machine code or object code before execution. \[ \text{Source Code} \xrightarrow{\text{Compiler}} \text{Machine Code} \]

Step 4: Compare with interpreter.
An interpreter translates and executes code line by line. It does not generally convert the complete source program into machine code at once like a compiler.

Step 5: Check other options.
ANSI is a standards organization, not a translator.
HSP is not the correct answer here.
Interpreter translates line by line, but the standard answer for converting source code to machine code is compiler. Therefore: \[ \text{Compiler converts source code into machine code.} \] \[ \therefore \text{Correct Answer is (A)} \]