How are high level languages translated into machine language?
• It depends on the “high level” language. • Languages such as C and Pascal are compiled into an executable program (the program is actually a bunch of machine language instructions, and can execute on its own). • Languages such as Basic and Perl are interpreted and executed on the fly (no program is created and the interpreter is always needed to run the program). • Some languages are actually interpreted and executed by another program (such as a browser or a virtual computer). Langages such as Java or Javascript require a web browser or a Java virtual machine in order to run the program.