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Homework Assignment 1

Bernard Turner

Computer Architecture COM-312-OL01

Author Note

Your responses should be a minimum of 200 word

Abstract

Create a Word document where you answer each of the questions listed below. Your

answers should demonstrate evidence of sufficient writing mechanics and follow APA

formatting guidelines. Your responses should be a minimum of 200 words. Submit your assign

meant to the Assignment folder no later than Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT. (This Assignment

folder may be linked to Turnitin.)

Homework Assignment 1

1. Explain each of the following terms in your own words (20 points):

Translator

A translator is a programming language processor that translates a computer program

from one language to another. It takes a program written in source code and translates it into

machine code. It also finds errors during translation.

Different Types of Translators.

There are 3 different types of translators:

Compiler

A compiler is a translator used to transform high-level programming language to low-

level programming language. It translates the whole program in a single session and flags errors

found after the conversion then saves it to memory. A compiler is processor and platform

dependent, it is addressed by a special compiler, a cross-compiler and a source-to-source

compiler. Before choosing a compiler, the user has to firstly designate the Instruction Set

Architecture (ISA), the operating system (OS) and the programming language that will be used

to guarantee that it will be compatible.

Interpreter

Just like a compiler, it is a translator that is used to translate high-level programming

languages to low-level programming languages. It translates the program one at a time and

reports errors detected at once, while doing the conversion. With this, it is easier to detect errors

than in a compiler. An interpreter is faster than a compiler as it immediately executes the code

upon reading the code. It is often used as a debugging tool for software development as it can
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execute a single line of code at a time. An interpreter is also more portable than a compiler as it

is not processor-dependent, you can work between hardware architectures.

Virtual machine

An assembler is a translator used to translate assembly language to machine language.  It

is like a compiler for the assembly language but interactive like an interpreter.  Assembly

language is difficult to understand as it is a low-level programming language.  An assembler

translates a low-level language, an assembly language to an even lower-level language, which is

the machine code.  The machine code can be directly understood by the CPU.

What is an ISA, in your own words?

The instruction set architecture (ISA) is a protocol that defines how a computing machine

appears to a machine language programmer or compiler. The ISA describes the (1) memory

model, (2) instruction format, types and modes, and (3) operand registers, types, and data

addressing. Instruction types include arithmetic, logical, data transfer, and flow control.

Instruction modes include kernel and user instructions.

How many kilobytes are in 1 terabyte?

1000000000

How many megabytes are in 1 gigabyte?

1000

Explain why modern computers are multilevel architecture.

Modern computers are structured in levels. The most fundamental level is the hardware

level. Each new level builds on top of the lower one creating a more complex system.
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What are the main differences between third generation and fourth generation computers?

(20 points)

Third Generation

 The use of Integrated Circuits and large scale integration

 Mini-Computer

 Preform calculations in Nano seconds

 PROM and DRAM

Fourth Generation

 Very large scale integration (VLSI) and microprocessors

 Micro-Computers

 Perform millions of calculations per second

 EPROM and SRAM

References

teachcomputerscience. (2021, February 10). Translators | Purpose, Types, Examples &

Advantages. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from

https://teachcomputerscience.com/translators/

Schmalz, M. S. (n.d.). Organization of Computer Systems: ISA, Machine Language, Number

Systems. Https://Www.Cise.Ufl.Edu/. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from

https://www.cise.ufl.edu/%7Emssz/CompOrg/CDA-lang.html

Multilevel Computers. (n.d.). Https://Users.Cs.Fiu.Edu/. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from

https://users.cs.fiu.edu/%7Edowneyt/cop3402/levels.html

LearnPick, & Kolkata. (2015, August 12). What differentiates the third generation computers

from the fourth generation ones? - Find 20 Answers & Solutions | LearnPick Resources.

LearnPick. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from

https://www.learnpick.in/questions/details/5384/what-differentiates-the-third-generation-

computers-from-the