How programs are compiled or interpreted in Intro to Computing - Draw the Process

Draw This - beginner

Draw a flowchart that shows the steps a program goes through when it is compiled versus when it is interpreted. Include the source code, compilation or interpretation process, and the final output execution.

10 minutes

Hint 1

Hint 2

Hint 3

Hint 4

Hint 5

Grading Criteria

Start and End symbols (ovals) present for Source Code and Program Output

Two separate paths shown: one for compilation, one for interpretation

Compilation path includes 'Compile Program', 'Machine Code', and 'Run Machine Code' steps

Interpretation path includes 'Interpret Program' and 'Execute Line by Line' steps

Arrows correctly show flow from source code to output

No missing steps in either path

Solution

  +----------------+
  |  Source Code   |
  +--------+-------+
           |
    +------+-------+----------------+
    |                              |
+---v---+                    +-----v-----+
|Compile|                    |Interpret  |
|Program|                    |Program    |
+---+---+                    +-----+-----+
    |                              |
+---v---+                    +-----v-----+
|Machine|                    |Execute    |
|Code   |                    |Line by    |
+---+---+                    |Line       |
    |                        +-----+-----+
+---v---+                          |
|Run    |                          |
|Machine|                          |
|Code   |                          |
+---+---+                          |
    |                              |
    +--------------+---------------+
                   |
           +-------v-------+
           | Program Output|
           +---------------+

This flowchart starts with the Source Code as the input.

There are two main paths:

• Compilation path: The source code is first compiled into machine code, which is a low-level code the computer understands directly. Then, the machine code is run by the computer's processor. This produces the program output.
• Interpretation path: The source code is interpreted line by line by an interpreter program. Each line is executed immediately without creating a separate machine code file. This also produces the program output.

Both paths end with the Program Output, which is what the user sees or the result of running the program.

Variations - 2 Challenges

[intermediate] Draw a flowchart showing how a program written in a compiled language is transformed from source code to output, including error checking during compilation.

[advanced] Draw a detailed flowchart comparing how a program is executed in a compiled language versus an interpreted language, including the role of the compiler, interpreter, and runtime environment.