What does a compiler do?

A compiler is a specialized program that transforms code written in high-level programming languages, such as Java, C++, or Python, into machine code, which is the low-level code that a computer’s processor can execute directly. This translation process allows developers to write in more human-readable and abstract forms of code, which are easier to understand and maintain, while still enabling the computer to perform the necessary operations efficiently.

The process of compilation typically involves several stages, including lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, optimization, and code generation. By converting high-level language statements to machine code, the compiler makes it possible for software applications to run on hardware by interpreting the high-level constructs into instructions that the CPU can understand.

Memory allocation management and runtime error checking are indeed important aspects of program execution, but they fall within the realm of other components of the programming lifecycle, such as runtime environments or operating systems. Real-time execution also pertains to interpreters, which execute code line-by-line rather than compiling it into machine code ahead of time. Thus, the primary function of a compiler is specifically tied to the translation of high-level programming languages into machine code.