Language processors in computer science: which tools translate or execute source programs to produce machine-level results?

Introduction / Context:
Language processors are essential components of software development environments. They transform human readable source code into forms the CPU can execute, either by translating to machine code ahead of time or by executing code on the fly. Understanding the differences among assemblers, compilers, and interpreters helps in choosing the right tool and anticipating runtime behavior.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We consider three processor types: assemblers, compilers, and interpreters.
• Goal is to identify which of these qualify as language processors.
• Context spans low level assembly to high level languages.

Concept / Approach:

An assembler translates assembly language mnemonics to machine code. A compiler translates high level language programs into machine code or intermediate representations. An interpreter directly executes instructions written in a programming language line by line or statement by statement, often using a runtime to evaluate and perform actions without producing a standalone binary.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Textbooks in compiler design and systems programming list these tools together as language processors because they process and realize programs expressed in programming languages.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Any single subset alone would be incomplete; all three are valid language processors.
• None of the above is incorrect because all are.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing interpreters with Just In Time compilation, which blends compilation and interpretation.
• Assuming assemblers are not language processors because they target low level languages; they are.

Final Answer:

All of the above.