Information Systems and Computer Applications CLEP Prep Practice Exam

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Prepare for the CLEP Information Systems & Computer Applications Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations to help you succeed. Master the content and pass your exam!

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What is the purpose of a compiler?

To translate one programming language to another
To translate programming language code into machine language
To convert text into binary code
To check for errors in code

The correct answer is: To translate programming language code into machine language

A compiler's purpose is not to translate one programming language to another, that is the role of a language converter or translator. It also does not convert text into binary code, that is the job of an assembler. While some compilers do perform error checking, that is not their primary purpose. The main purpose of a compiler is to translate programming language code into machine language, which can then be understood and executed by the computer. This allows programmers to write code in a high-level language that is easier for them to understand and then have it translated into instructions that the computer can understand and execute.