A compiler is array of programs which have the capability to translate text written in a computer language into another computer language. It is used to translate source code from a high-level programming language to a lower level language as it is difficult for the user to remember the commands of the machine language. Different compilers are needed for different high-level languages. An assembler, on the other hand, is in contrast with a compiler. It is a software that translates assembly language into machine language. An assembler implements a symbolic representation of the numeric machine codes and other constants needed to program a particular CPU architecture. This representation is defined by the hardware manufacturer, and is based on abbreviations (called mnemonics) that help the programmer remember individual instructions.
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