A compiler is a computer program (or set of programs) that translates text written in a computer language (the source language) into another computer language (the target language). The original sequence is usually called the source code and the output called object code. Commonly the output has a form suitable for processing by other programs (e.g., a linker), but it may be a human readable text file.

The most common reason for wanting to translate source code is to create an executable program. The name "compiler" is primarily used for programs that translate source code from a high level language to a lower level language (e.g., assembly language or machine language). A program that translates from a low level language to a higher level one is a decompiler. A program that translates between high-level languages is usually called a language translator, source to source translator, or language converter. A language rewriter is usually a program that translates the form of expressions without a change of language.

A compiler is likely to perform many or all of the following operations: lexing, preprocessing, parsing, semantic analysis, code optimizations, and code generation.

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FAA Flight-Plan System Has Long History of Problems
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:00:16 -0400
Investigations reveal that the 20-year-old, mainframe-based IT system has crashed several times in the last nine years and that the FAA has been planning its replacement for at least four years. But a new, next-generation IT system won't be on line until at least the end of 2008. Meanwhile, the old system creaks along on a wing and a prayer. - A major portion of the decades-old national air-traffic control system used to manage thousands of commercial and general aviation takeoffs and landings every day in the U.S. is has crashed multiple times under the 20-year strain of its 24/7 operations. As a result, industry analysts and a n...
Toshiba Tecra A9: Powerful Computing Today and Tomorrow
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:15:57 -0400
Small companies in competitive fields need exceptionally secure and durable laptops that pack top-notch wireless connectivity and productivity tools. The Toshiba Tecra A9, with its built-in EasyGuard® security features, delivers these critical elements and lets companies maximize their technology investment. - Video Content....
Toshiba Satellite Pro L300: Meeting Small Businesses Needs
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:14:52 -0400
Small-business workers need computing solutions that boost productivity and support their multiple tasks seamlessly. To find out exactly what theyre looking for, we surveyed 172 professionals in companies with 10-99 employees. The results reveal a growing demand for business-ready laptops that can be used reliably for years at a time. The Toshiba Satellite Pro L300 delivers all the major productivity and reliability features highlighted in the survey, and provides several innovations that help small operations take their business to the next level. - Video Content....
Phishing Cyber Gang Upgrades to Fast-Flux Botnet
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:00:39 -0400
According to researchers on the RSA FraudAction team, the Rock Phish gang has moved its infrastructure to the notorious Asprox botnet. Security researchers believe the move may precede an increase in phishing activity using the Asprox botnet. - Researchers at RSA, EMCs security division, believe the Rock Phish gang has upgraded its infrastructure to improve its ability to launch phishing attacks. According to the RSA FraudAction Research Lab, the Rock Phish group has moved its operations from its traditional botnet to the fast-flux infra...
IT3 with Eric Lundquist, Sept. 3, 2008
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:51:40 -0400
Software in standalone boxes, passwords and a belt full of personal devices will disappear over the next five years. In this episode of Three Things, Eric Lundquist explains why you will no longer buy standalone software from retail stores, why passwords are a poor substitute for security and geeks will no longer be identified by lots of devices hanging from a belt. - Video Content....
Douglas Crockford: 'I Want a Browser War!'
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:15:55 -0400
Douglas Crockford, a JavaScript architect at Yahoo and the man behind JSON, the JavaScript Object Notation, says he welcomes a browser war if it will bring innovation in the browser space and move the Web forward. Crockford says the browser war between Microsoft and Netscape moved the Web forward but introduced bugs into the network. However, this time standards and the marketplace will keep browser makers in line. Microsoft's complacency after winning the browser war opened the door for innovation by others such as Mozilla and now Google with its Chrome browser. - VIENNA, Va. Douglas Crockford, a JavaScript architect at Yahoo and founder of the JavaScript Object Notation, says he wants a browser war. Well, with Google's introduction of its Chrome browser Sept. 2 he just may have it. During a keynote at the Rich Web Experience conference here Sept. 4, Croc...

NYT > Technology

Microsoft Works to Perfect Windows Vista
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:15:54 -0000
Faced with Windows Vista’s image problem, Microsoft has been working for more than a year to change the experience of buying and using computers that run its software.
Practical Traveler | iPhone E-Guides: Clueless in Cleveland? Use Your Thumb
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:36:35 -0000
From showing you the nearest sushi bar in London to telling you how to say “Where’s the toilet?” in Cantonese, travel apps for the iPhone are proving to be a useful tool.
Samsung Weighs Buying SanDisk
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:57:40 -0000
The memory chip maker said that it might buy a flash memory maker, SanDisk, in a deal that could reshape a struggling industry.

CNN.com - Technology

CIA, FBI embrace 'Facebook for spies'
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:08:59 -0400
When you see people at the office using such Internet sites as Facebook, you might suspect those workers are slacking off. But that's not the case at U.S. intelligence agencies, where bosses are encouraging their staffs to use a new social-networking site designed for the secret world of spying.
Asia pollution may boost U.S. temperatures
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:55:23 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
eBay launches planet-friendly retail site
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:01:58 -0400
Read full story for latest details.

NPR Topics: Technology

Voting Technology Evolves In Electronic World
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0400
Officials in many states are concerned about the reliability of electronic voting and are now moving toward systems that can provide a voter-verified paper trail. Larry Norden, author of The Machinery of Democracy, discusses the latest advances in voting technology.
Google Launches 'Chrome' Web Browser
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0400
Internet search giant Google unveiled Chrome, a new piece of Web browser software on Tuesday. Danny Sullivan, editor-in-chief of SearchEngineLand.com, explains what Google's open-source browser can do, and why a search engine leader wants to get into the Web software market.
In 'Spore,' Players Create Civilizations From Cells
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:18:00 -0400
The creator of The Sims has a new game out. In Spore, players create their own worlds — starting from creatures the size of a cell, and evolving until an entire civilization springs up.

BBC News | Technology | UK Edition

One Laptop signs up with Amazon
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:23:44 -0000
Online retailer Amazon will help the One Laptop Per Child organisation with its plans to sell its XO laptop in the US.
Chaos at £20,000 petrol giveaway
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:17:46 -0000
There are reports of chaos at a petrol station which gave away £20,000 of petrol to promote a video game.
Zombie plague sweeps the internet
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:51:02 -0000
The number of home computers hijacked by hi-tech criminals leaps during the summer, says a security monitoring firm.

Reuters Video: Technology

Reuters Technology Week
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:06:17 -0400
Sep. 5 - A highly anticipated videogame, Spore, lets you rewrite the Book of Genesis as you create your own sci-fi society.
Sims creator launches 'Spore'
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:14:44 -0400
Sep 5 - Video game designer Will Wright says his latest game will enable users to create the worlds while learning about evolutionary biology.
Sony Reader launches in UK
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:59:51 -0400
Sep 4 - The Japanese electronics company is getting some help from Britain's biggest book chain for the UK launch of its electronic book.

AP Top Technology News At 1:23 a.m. EDT

Google reigns as world's most powerful 10-year-old
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:23:17 -0000
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) -- When Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google Inc. on Sept. 7, 1998, they had little more than their ingenuity, four computers and an investor's $100,000 bet on their belief that an Internet search engine could change the world....
Microsoft deploying in-store customer-service reps
By RACHEL METZ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:47:01 -0000
NEW YORK (AP) -- As part of its new $300 million marketing campaign and image makeover, Microsoft Corp. plans to deploy its own customer-service representatives at retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City to help people with their PC purchases....
Tech firms fare better than most in jobs slump
By BARBARA ORTUTAY Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:21:54 -0000
NEW YORK (AP) -- Technology appears to be one of the least hard-hit sectors in an economy beset by unemployment at a five-year high....

CNET News.com

Apple watchers spot 'iPod Nano' photos
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:16:00 -0700
The rumor mill has long been predicting a longer, leaner new version of the iPod Nano, and now it's conjuring up some pictures.
Photos: Top 10 reviews of the week
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:00:00 -0700
Here are CNET Reviews' 10 favorite items from the past week, including the TiVo HD XL, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50, and the Dish Network's newest digital TV converter box.
Explore Picasa's latest and greatest community shots
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:16:00 -0700
Picasa's got a brand new photo exploration page to let you browse user shots. There's even a game to figure out where photos have been taken.

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