What is the Difference Between Debugger and Compiler?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a debugger and a compiler lies in their functions and purposes in the software development process. Here is a summary of their differences:
- Compiler:
- Translates source code from a high-level programming language to a low-level machine language.
- Performs code optimization and code generation.
- Generates Intermediate Language (IL) code.
- Detects syntax errors and compile-time errors.
- Debugger:
- Used to find and remove bugs from code.
- Allows testing and debugging of other programs.
- Provides more capabilities for detecting errors in programs compared to a compiler.
- Includes features like monitoring memory usage, breakpoints, and variable tracking.
In essence, a compiler is responsible for converting human-readable code into machine-executable code, while a debugger helps in identifying and fixing errors in the program code.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Debugger and Compiler? Comparative Table: Debugger vs Compiler
Comparative Table: Debugger vs Compiler
Here is a table highlighting the differences between a debugger and a compiler:
Feature | Compiler | Debugger |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Translates high-level language into machine instructions | Removes bugs from code by allowing testing and debugging of programs |
Output | Compiled programs might have some errors or bugs | Debugged program cannot have any errors |
Error Detection | Capable of detecting syntax errors and compile-time errors | Provides more capabilities to detect errors in programs compared to a compiler |
Task Difficulty | More difficult to design and develop due to its complex nature | Less difficult to design and develop compared to a compiler |
Runtime | Generates IL (Intermediate Language) code | Checks IL code line by line |
Operation Modes | Does not have specific operation modes | Can have full and partial simulation modes |
Symbol Table | Does not create or use a symbol table | Uses a symbol table to map instructions and variable names |
In summary, a compiler translates source code into executable code, while a debugger helps programmers find and fix errors in their programs.
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