Intermediate representations and artifacts: the term “assembly code data base” refers to which compilation product or table in a typical compiler–assembler toolchain?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: assembly language version of the program which is created by the code generation phase and is input to the assembly phase

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Compilers often emit textual assembly after semantic analysis and optimization. This “assembly code” then serves as input to the assembler to produce object code. Some literature loosely refers to this emitted assembly as an assembly code database or repository, distinguishing it from lexical or syntactic tables maintained earlier in the pipeline.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The code generation phase has completed IR to target translation.
  • The output is human-readable assembly matching the target ISA.
  • This artifact feeds into the assembler to create relocatable objects.


Concept / Approach:
Unlike token tables (products of lexical analysis) or grammar/decision tables (used in parsers), the assembly listing is a concrete, near-final representation of the program in target mnemonics. It is thus best described as the assembly language version of the program created by the code generator, which the assembler will then translate into binary and relocation records.


Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Separate compiler tables (terminals, tokens, parse tables) from generated code artifacts.2) Identify “assembly code data base” as the textual assembly emitted after code generation.3) Recognize that this is precisely what the assembler consumes to produce object modules.


Verification / Alternative check:
Real-world toolchains (e.g., clang -S or gcc -S) generate .s files—assembly code—which assemblers (e.g., as) then assemble into .o object files.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Option A: Describes a terminal table (keywords/symbols), not assembly output.
  • Option B: Describes parser decision tables, not emitted code.
  • Option C: Describes token lists (uniform symbol table), not assembly code.
  • None of the above: Incorrect because option D correctly characterizes the artifact.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing compiler-internal metadata with emitted source for the assembler. Tables drive analysis; assembly output drives code generation and linking.


Final Answer:
assembly language version of the program which is created by the code generation phase and is input to the assembly phase.

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