(Last Updated On: June 9, 2023)

Compiler has got the recognition of an online software tool that helps in the ideal conversion of human-written codes into the required machine codes. 

From flow control to error detection to syntax analysis to type checking an online C++ compiler is basically known to perform versatile tasks. 

You can be a novel in the world of programming or have just started playing around with the codes and decided to enrol in C++ tutorial, knowing the working of compilers is a must. 

Hence, to give you a better understanding of the working of online compilers and how it helps in the compilation of source code to give the desired output, we have curated this blog post.

Learn all the nits and grits about online compilers and strengthen your knowledge!

Overview of an online compiler 

The concept of online C++ compilers is quite wide and interesting to learn. When we talk about an online compiler, it is considered as a tool that helps you compile the source code to run it multiple times in various programming languages. 

This compiler is needed for the execution of your programs. The compiler helps in the conversion of a text-based source into the required executing source known as the object code. Though, if it is designed in a way to run over the programs manually, it may take more of the machine space. 

Most of the online apps and software are designed in a way to work efficiently. Hence, an online compiler is being created. Its main task is to help users build and run efficient programs. Moreover, you may not need to download an IDE to execute the compiler in an ideal way.

Using different types of compiler with the help of a single interface will help you remove all types of errors and store the bugs in an efficient way. These compilers have gained immense popularity because of their usability, versatile functionality and easy accessibility. 

These compilers have made it possible for all the users to modify, write or share different types of codes with anyone without bothering much about the code generation. 

Types of compiler 

When we talk about the C++ tutorial, we often come across various types of compiler. Below mentioned are some of the most popular types of compiler that are used by all the programmers.

• Just-in time compiler: This compiles the entire program to execute it in an ideal way. This one is considered faster as it helps in the reduction of redundant code.
• Cross compiler: This compiler allows developers for the compilation or running of codes on different platforms. It works on several code versions 
• Bytecode compiler: The compiler translates a high-level code into the machine code for the target machine. The developers can easily write codes to compile them as a part of the machine code.
• Source to source machine compiler: The software helps in the execution of a source code into the required executable code. It better translates the source code into various languages
• Binary compiler: It translates the source code into required binary format. 
• Hardware compiler: It helps in the compilation of a source code by transforming it into the machine language code

Working of online compiler 

When we are talking about an online C++ compiler, you should know about its phases in order to execute the code in a desired way to get the code in the form of output.

Lexical analysis

This is the first phase in the working of a compiler as the high-level program will be converted into a series of program sequences. This phase is generally implemented with the help of a deterministic finite automaton. The output will be then sent to the syntax analysis. 

Syntax analysis or parsing 

This is the second compiler phase. Here, in this phase the syntactic structure will be sent to the required output. The data structure is being built with the help of a parse tree. 

If the output will be produced with the help of a syntax tree, the required input string would be found with the help of ideal syntax. Though, if it is not correct, the error will be reported with the help of a required syntax analyzer.

Semantic analysis 

This is touted as the process of interpreting texts. Here, the computer system will understand all the paragraphs or sentences with that of documents. Moreover, it also analyses or identifies the relationship with the words.

Intermediate code generation 

This translates your source program into the machine program. The intermediate code will be generated where the compiler will first generate the needed machine code in an adequate format. Then it will convert your source program in the form of efficient machine code.

This will be represented with the help of a postfix notation with that of direct graphs so that you can execute the program in an efficient way.

Code optimization

Here, the program is executed or optimised. The basic goal of this compilation phase is to work on the code improvement while enabling the use of few resources to get high speed. 

Here, you will make use of high-level programming which helps in the construction of better programming codes. Moreover, in order to increase the speed of your program, all unnecessary code strings will be eliminated in order to arrange the sequence of various statements.

Code generation 

This is regarded as the final stage of a compilation process. Here, the generated code will become the object code for ideal language programming and better execution. 

The source code that is written in the high-level language will be used to convert all the codes so as to get the desired codes. 

Wrapping up 

Online compilers are known to perform versatile functions and are a good source to convert a given source code into the target code and vice versa.

Learn about the working of online cpp compilers with this guide and implement its phases for the smooth functioning of your programs.