Compiler Design Interview Questions and Answers YASH PAL, 19 March 202228 June 2025 A compiler is a program that reads a program written in one language (source language) and translates it into another language (target language). mostly the compiler is used to generate machine code. and to generate the machine code we have different phases to complete. and to study these phases we have a compiler design subject.In the technical field, we always have to deal with machine code. so it’s very important to read about the compiler design process for any technical field. so here we are including basic to advanced compiler design interview questions and answers.In analyzing the compilation of the PL/I program, the term “Machine independent optimization” is associated withthe recognition of basic syntactic construction through reductions.recognition of basic elements and the creation of uniform symbols.creation of more optimal matrixuse of the macro processor to produce more optimal assembly codeAnswer – (3) creation of the more optimal matrixIn analyzing the compilation of the PL/I program the description “resolving symbolic address (labels) and generating machine language” is associated withassembly and outputcode generationstorage assignmentsyntax analysisAnswer – (1) assembly and output In analyzing the compilation of the PL/I program the description “creation of more optimal matrix” is associated withassembly and outputcode generationsyntax analysismachine-independent optimizationAnswer – (4) machine-independent optimizationWhich one is not true about syntax and semantic parts of a computer languageThe syntax is generally checked by the programmer.Semantics is the responsibility of the programmer.Semantics is checked mechanically by a computer.Both (b) and (c) aboveAnswer – (4) Both (b) and (c) above Left factoring is the process of factoring out the commonprefixed of alternatessuffixes of alternatespredictive parsingnone of the aboveAnswer – (4) None of the aboveIn analyzing the compilation of the PL/I program, the term “lexical analysis” is associated withthe recognition of basic syntactic constructs through reductions.recognition of basic elements and the creation of uniform symbols.creation of a more optimal matrix.use of the macro processors to produce more optimal assembly code.Answer – (2) recognition of basic elements and the creation of uniform symbolsOperator-precedence parsing method is a parsing method. Which of the following statement is false about it?It is a bottom-up parsing methodIt must contain e-production.It doesn’t contain two adjacent nonterminal symbols.1 only2 only3 only1 and 3 onlyAnswer – (2) 2 onlyIf conversion from one type to another type is done automatically by the compiler then, it is calledimplicit conversioncoercionsboth (a) and (b)none of the aboveAnswer – (3) both (a) and (b)The term “environment” in programming language semantics is said asa function that maps a name to a value held therea function that maps a name to a storage locationthe function that maps a storage location to the value held therenone of the aboveAnswer – (2) a function that maps a name to a storage locationA nonrelocatable program is one whichcannot be made to execute in any area of storage other than the one designated for it at the time of its coding or translation.consists of a program and relevant information for its relocationcan itself perform the relocation of its address-sensitive portions?all of the above.Answer – (1) cannot be made to execute in any area of storage other than the one designated for it at the time of its coding or translationA self-relocating program is one whichcannot be made to execute in any area of storage other than the one designated for it at the time of its coding or translation.consists of a program and relevant information for its relocation.can itself perform the relocation of its address-sensitive portionsall of the aboveAnswer – (3) can itself perform the relocation of its address-sensitive portionsThe linkeris the same as a loaderis required to create a load moduleuser source code as inputis always used before programs are executedAnswer – (1) is the same as a loaderThe translator is best described asapplication softwarea system softwarea hardware componentall of the aboveAnswer – (2) a system softwareResolution is externally defined symbols performed byLinkerLoaderCompilerAssemblerAnswer – (1) LinkerWhich of the following derivations does a top-down parser use while parsing an input string? The input is assumed to be scanned in left-to-right order.Leftmost derivationLeftmost derivation traced out in reverseRightmost derivationRightmost derivation traced out in reverseAnswer – (1) Leftmost derivationA simple two-pass assembler does which of the following in the first pass?It allocates space for the literal.It computes the total length of the program.It builds the symbol table for the symbols and their values.It generates code for all the loads and stores register instructions.1 only1 and 21, 2 and 34 onlyAnswer – (3) 1, 2 and 3The generation of intermediate code based on an abstract machine model is useful in compilers becauseit makes the implementation of lexical analysis and syntax analysis easiersyntax-directed translation can be written for intermediate code generation.it enhances the portability of the front end of the compiler.it is not possible to generate code for real machines directly from high-level language programs.Answer – (2) syntax-directed translation can be written for intermediate code generationA compiler isA program that places programs into memory and prepares them for executiona program that automates the translation of assembly language into machine languagea program that accepts a program written in a high-level language and produces an object programa program that appears to execute a source program as if it were machine languageAnswer – (3) a program that accepts a program written in a high-level language and produces an object programA loader isa program that places programs into memory and prepares them for executiona program that automates the translation of assembly language into machine languagea program that accepts a program written in a high-level language and produces an object programa program that appears to execute a source program as if it were machine languageAnswer – (1) a program that places programs into memory and prepares them for executionWhich of the following are language processors?assemblercompilersinterpretersall of theseAnswer – (1) assemblerNote – More questions and answers will be added from time to time. 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