In programming and compilation, which type of errors are typically detected and reported by a compiler during the compilation phase?

Introduction / Context:
Compilers translate high level programming language code into machine code or intermediate code. During this process, they perform various checks to ensure that the source code follows the rules of the language. Understanding which kinds of errors a compiler can and cannot detect is a basic part of software development and exam oriented computer knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which errors are identified by the compiler.
• Options include logical errors, hardware errors, language errors, image errors and network errors.
• We assume a standard compiled language such as C or Java.
• Language errors typically refer to syntax errors and some semantic errors.

Concept / Approach:
A compiler checks code for correct language usage. This includes syntax rules and certain semantic rules such as correct type usage. When an error violates the language grammar or type system, the compiler reports it as a compilation error. Logical errors, on the other hand, occur when the program runs but produces incorrect results due to flawed logic. Hardware errors, image errors and network errors are external to the source code and are not detected during compilation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify what a compiler does. It reads source code, checks it against language rules and generates executable code. Step 2: During this process, the compiler can detect syntax errors such as missing semicolons, mismatched brackets and incorrect keywords. Step 3: The compiler can also detect certain semantic language errors such as using variables without declaring them or assigning incompatible types. Step 4: These issues fall under the broader category of language errors, because they occur when the programmer breaks rules of the programming language. Step 5: Logical errors occur when the code is legal in the language but does not implement the correct algorithm. The compiler usually cannot know the programmer intent and therefore cannot flag these errors. Step 6: Hardware errors such as device failures happen at runtime or at the system level, far outside the compiler's static analysis. Step 7: Image processing errors and network connectivity errors also arise when programs interact with external resources or data, not during compilation of the source code. Step 8: Thus, among the options, language errors are the ones identified by the compiler.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you write a simple program and deliberately introduce syntax mistakes, the compiler will issue error messages, often pointing to line numbers and describing the type of language violation. When you correct these issues and compile again, the compiler may succeed but the program could still produce wrong answers because of logical errors. This practical observation matches the standard theory that compilers detect language errors but not logical or hardware related issues.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Logical errors are not caught at compile time because the code satisfies the language rules even though it behaves incorrectly. Hardware errors depend on physical devices and system environment. Image errors and network errors are domain specific runtime issues and are unrelated to the static compilation process. Therefore, these categories do not represent errors that a compiler is responsible for detecting.

Common Pitfalls:
Some beginners assume that if a program compiles without errors, it must be correct. This is not true, because logical errors can still be present. To avoid this misunderstanding, always remember that compilation is only a language correctness check, not a guarantee of algorithmic correctness. Testing and debugging are needed to find logical errors after successful compilation.

Final Answer:
The errors identified by a compiler are language errors such as syntax errors.