Question Constellation Sign up for free AQA · GCSE · Computer Science · Higher
Interpreter translation and execution
Explain how an interpreter works.
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Marking points
- 1 For top band, gives a coherent explanation of interpreter operation.
- 2 May refer to repeated translation, no saved machine code, machine-code subroutines, line-by-line execution, and stopping on runtime error.
Full-mark answer
An interpreter translates and executes the program a line or statement at a time. It does not produce a separate machine-code file, so translation is needed each time the program runs. It can call machine-code subroutines to carry out commands, and if a runtime error is found it stops.
Why this answer loses marks
Says it translates programs but misses line-by-line execution and stopping at runtime errors.
The explanation needs interpreter operation while the program runs, not just a generic translator definition.