Compilation

Front 1

What is the sequence of stages of compilation?

Back 1

Source code
Pre-processing > pre-processed source code
Compiler > object code
Linker > executable code

Front 2

What happens in the pre processing stage?

Back 2

Go through the code and execute any pre-processor directive that it comes across. eg: all begin with a # #include <iostream>
contents of the header file are placed at the line on which the include statement is made.
code is then written back to disk. Temp file used which is deleted at end of compilation process

Front 3

What happens in the compiler stage?

Back 3

Converts code to object code.
Syntax checked, warnings and errors generated.
Standard libraries supplied
Each cpp file compiled to its own object code file,
Each cpp file will have a single file.

Front 4

What is separate compilation?

Back 4

Each file is compiled separately into its own object code.
Speed- large programs can take hours to compile
Debugging- componants are tested+compiled seperately
Libraries- pre compiled object code of useful functions+ classes which can be quickly linked in

Front 5

What happens in the linker stage?

Back 5

Object code files combined together to form a single self-contained executable file.
Error checking linker errors produce messages
compiler records the promise that a function exists and records its signature(name, datatype of arguments return type)
Attempts to attach the compiled function to the relevant calls in the code