What are the 4 steps to convert C program to Machine code?

C Server Side Programming Programming

Process of Creating and Running Programs

A program contains a set of instructions which was written in a programming language.
The programmer’s job is to write and test the program.
The 4 steps to convert a ‘C’ program into machine language are &miuns;
- Writing and editing the program
- Compiling the program
- Linking the program
- Executing the program

Writing and editing the program

‘Text editors’ are used to write programs.
With the help of text editors, users can enter, change and store character data.
All special text editors are often included with a compiler.
After writing the program, the file is saved to disk.
It is known as ‘source file’.
This file is input to the compiler.

Compiling the program

“Compiler” is a software that translates the source program into machine language.
The ‘C’ compiler is divided into two separate programs.
- Preprocessor
- Translator

Let us first see about Preprocessor −

Preprocessor

Preprocessor reads the source code and then prepares it for translator.
Preprocessor commands start with ‘#’ symbol.
They tell the preprocessor to look for special code libraries and make substitutions.
The result of preprocessing is known as ‘translation’ unit.

Translator

Translator’s work is to convert the program into machine language.
It reads the translation unit and results in ‘object module’.
But it is not completely executable file because it does not have the ‘C’ and other functions included.

Linking programs

‘Linker’ assembles I/O functions, some library functions and the functions that are part of source program into final executable program.

Executing Programs

‘Loader’ is the software that is ready for program execution into the memory.
In the process of execution, the program reads the data from the user, processes the data and prepares the output.

Example1

Following example is to find the average of 3 numbers −

Live Demo

#include<stdio.h>
int main(){
   int a,b,c,d; //declaring 4 variables
   float e;
   printf("Enter values of a,b,c:");
   scanf("%d,%d,%d",&a,&b,&c); //read 3 input values from keyboard
   d=a+b+c;
   e=d/3;
   printf("Average=%f",e); // printing the result
   return 0;
}

Output

Enter values of a,b,c :2,4,5
Average=3.000000

Example2

The following is to compute circumference of a circle −

Live Demo

#include <stdio.h>
#define PI 3.1415 // defining PI value
main (){
   float c,r;
   printf("Enter radius of circle r=");
   scanf("%f",&r);
   c=2*PI*r;
   printf("Circumference of circle c=%f", c);
}

Output

Enter radius of circle r=5.6
Circumference of circle c=35.184799

Bhanu Priya

Updated on 09-Mar-2021 07:03:14

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