Compiler Design MCQ & Objective Questions
Compiler Design is a crucial subject for students aiming to excel in their exams. Understanding the principles of compiler construction not only enhances your programming skills but also prepares you for various competitive exams. Practicing MCQs and objective questions related to Compiler Design can significantly improve your exam performance by reinforcing key concepts and identifying important questions.
What You Will Practise Here
Fundamentals of Compiler Design and its phases
Lexical Analysis and Finite Automata
Syntax Analysis and Parsing Techniques
Semantic Analysis and Intermediate Code Generation
Optimization Techniques in Compilers
Code Generation and Target Machine Architecture
Common Compiler Design Algorithms and their applications
Exam Relevance
Compiler Design is a significant topic in various educational boards, including CBSE and State Boards, as well as competitive exams like JEE and NEET. Questions often focus on the different phases of a compiler, parsing techniques, and optimization methods. Familiarity with common question patterns, such as multiple-choice questions and theoretical explanations, will help you tackle these exams with confidence.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Confusing lexical analysis with syntax analysis
Misunderstanding the role of parse trees and abstract syntax trees
Overlooking the importance of optimization in code generation
Failing to grasp the significance of context-free grammars
FAQs
Question: What are the main phases of a compiler?Answer: The main phases of a compiler include lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, optimization, and code generation.
Question: How can I improve my understanding of Compiler Design concepts?Answer: Regularly practicing Compiler Design MCQ questions and reviewing important Compiler Design objective questions with answers can greatly enhance your understanding.
Start solving practice MCQs today to strengthen your grasp on Compiler Design and boost your exam readiness. Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering this subject!
Q. What is the main function of the runtime environment in a programming language?
A.
To compile the source code
B.
To manage memory and resources during execution
C.
To perform lexical analysis
D.
To generate intermediate code
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Solution
The runtime environment manages memory, handles input/output, and provides other services needed during the execution of a program.
Correct Answer:
B
— To manage memory and resources during execution
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Q. What is the main goal of code generation in a compiler?
A.
To analyze the syntax of the source code
B.
To produce machine code from intermediate code
C.
To optimize the source code
D.
To perform lexical analysis
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Solution
The main goal of code generation is to produce machine code from the intermediate code generated during compilation.
Correct Answer:
B
— To produce machine code from intermediate code
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Q. What is the output of a lexical analyzer typically used for?
A.
To generate machine code
B.
To create a syntax tree
C.
To feed into the parser
D.
To optimize the code
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Solution
The output of a lexical analyzer, which consists of tokens, is typically fed into the parser for further processing.
Correct Answer:
C
— To feed into the parser
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Q. What is the output of a lexical analyzer when it encounters an unrecognized character?
A.
A token
B.
A syntax tree
C.
An error message
D.
A symbol table entry
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Solution
When a lexical analyzer encounters an unrecognized character, it typically outputs an error message indicating the issue.
Correct Answer:
C
— An error message
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Q. What is the output of a syntax-directed translation scheme?
A.
Source code
B.
Intermediate code
C.
Machine code
D.
Error messages
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Solution
The output of a syntax-directed translation scheme is typically intermediate code.
Correct Answer:
B
— Intermediate code
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Q. What is the primary advantage of using LR parsing over LL parsing?
A.
Simplicity of implementation.
B.
Ability to handle left recursion.
C.
Lower memory usage.
D.
Faster parsing speed.
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Solution
LR parsing can handle left recursion, which is a limitation of LL parsing.
Correct Answer:
B
— Ability to handle left recursion.
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Q. What is the primary function of a lexical analyzer in a compiler?
A.
To generate intermediate code
B.
To parse the source code
C.
To tokenize the input source code
D.
To optimize the code
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Solution
The lexical analyzer's primary function is to tokenize the input source code, breaking it down into meaningful symbols.
Correct Answer:
C
— To tokenize the input source code
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Q. What is the primary function of a lexical analyzer?
A.
To generate intermediate code
B.
To parse the source code
C.
To tokenize the input stream
D.
To optimize the code
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Solution
The lexical analyzer's primary function is to tokenize the input stream, breaking it down into meaningful symbols for further processing.
Correct Answer:
C
— To tokenize the input stream
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Q. What is the primary goal of code optimization?
A.
To increase the size of the code
B.
To improve the execution speed of the code
C.
To make the code more readable
D.
To reduce the number of comments in the code
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Solution
The primary goal of code optimization is to improve the execution speed of the code.
Correct Answer:
B
— To improve the execution speed of the code
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Q. What is the primary purpose of a parsing table in LR parsing?
A.
To store the grammar rules.
B.
To determine the next action based on the current state and input symbol.
C.
To keep track of the parse tree.
D.
To optimize the parsing process.
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Solution
The parsing table in LR parsing is used to determine the next action based on the current state and input symbol.
Correct Answer:
B
— To determine the next action based on the current state and input symbol.
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Q. What is the primary purpose of intermediate code generation in a compiler?
A.
To optimize the source code
B.
To translate high-level code to machine code
C.
To provide a platform-independent representation of the source code
D.
To perform lexical analysis
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Solution
Intermediate code generation creates a representation of the source code that is independent of the target machine, allowing for easier optimization and code generation.
Correct Answer:
C
— To provide a platform-independent representation of the source code
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Q. What is the primary purpose of lexical analysis in a compiler?
A.
To generate intermediate code
B.
To convert source code into tokens
C.
To optimize the code
D.
To perform syntax checking
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Solution
Lexical analysis converts the source code into tokens, which are the basic building blocks for further processing in the compiler.
Correct Answer:
B
— To convert source code into tokens
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Q. What is the primary purpose of syntax-directed translation?
A.
To generate machine code directly from source code
B.
To produce an intermediate representation from the parse tree
C.
To optimize the code for better performance
D.
To perform lexical analysis on the source code
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Solution
Syntax-directed translation is primarily used to produce an intermediate representation from the parse tree.
Correct Answer:
B
— To produce an intermediate representation from the parse tree
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Q. What is the purpose of a finite automaton in lexical analysis?
A.
To parse the syntax of the code
B.
To recognize patterns in the input stream
C.
To generate machine code
D.
To optimize the code
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Solution
A finite automaton is used to recognize patterns in the input stream, which helps in identifying tokens.
Correct Answer:
B
— To recognize patterns in the input stream
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Q. What is the purpose of a symbol table in a compiler?
A.
To store intermediate code
B.
To keep track of variable names and types
C.
To optimize the code
D.
To parse the source code
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Solution
The symbol table is used to keep track of variable names, types, and other attributes during the compilation process.
Correct Answer:
B
— To keep track of variable names and types
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Q. What is the purpose of a symbol table in the context of lexical analysis?
A.
To store the tokens generated
B.
To keep track of variable names and their attributes
C.
To optimize the code
D.
To parse the syntax tree
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Solution
The symbol table is used to keep track of variable names, their types, and other attributes during the compilation process.
Correct Answer:
B
— To keep track of variable names and their attributes
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Q. What is the purpose of code generation in a compiler?
A.
To analyze the syntax of the source code
B.
To produce machine code from intermediate code
C.
To optimize the source code
D.
To perform lexical analysis
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Solution
Code generation is the phase where the compiler translates intermediate code into machine code that can be executed by the target machine.
Correct Answer:
B
— To produce machine code from intermediate code
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Q. What is the purpose of constant folding in code optimization?
A.
To replace variables with their constant values
B.
To eliminate unnecessary function calls
C.
To simplify control flow
D.
To optimize memory allocation
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Solution
Constant folding is used to replace variables with their constant values at compile time, reducing runtime calculations.
Correct Answer:
A
— To replace variables with their constant values
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Q. What is the purpose of intermediate code in a compiler?
A.
To optimize the source code
B.
To provide a platform-independent representation
C.
To perform lexical analysis
D.
To generate machine code
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Solution
Intermediate code serves as a platform-independent representation of the source code, allowing for easier optimization and code generation.
Correct Answer:
B
— To provide a platform-independent representation
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Q. What is the purpose of register allocation in code generation?
A.
To minimize the use of memory
B.
To assign variables to CPU registers
C.
To optimize the execution speed of loops
D.
To eliminate redundant calculations
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Solution
The purpose of register allocation in code generation is to assign variables to CPU registers to improve execution speed.
Correct Answer:
B
— To assign variables to CPU registers
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Q. What is the purpose of semantic rules in syntax-directed translation?
A.
To define the syntax of the programming language
B.
To specify the actions to be taken during parsing
C.
To determine the types of variables
D.
To optimize the final machine code
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Solution
Semantic rules specify the actions to be taken during parsing in syntax-directed translation.
Correct Answer:
B
— To specify the actions to be taken during parsing
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Q. What is the purpose of type checking in a compiler?
A.
To ensure that the program runs faster
B.
To verify that operations are performed on compatible data types
C.
To optimize the code
D.
To generate intermediate code
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Solution
Type checking verifies that operations are performed on compatible data types, ensuring program correctness.
Correct Answer:
B
— To verify that operations are performed on compatible data types
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Q. What is the role of a peephole optimizer?
A.
To optimize entire functions
B.
To analyze the entire program
C.
To make local optimizations on small sections of code
D.
To generate intermediate code
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Solution
A peephole optimizer makes local optimizations on small sections of code, often focusing on improving performance in a limited scope.
Correct Answer:
C
— To make local optimizations on small sections of code
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Q. What is the role of a semantic analyzer in the context of intermediate code generation?
A.
To check for syntax errors
B.
To generate machine code
C.
To ensure type correctness and gather type information
D.
To optimize the intermediate code
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Solution
The semantic analyzer checks for type correctness and gathers type information, which is crucial for generating valid intermediate code.
Correct Answer:
C
— To ensure type correctness and gather type information
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Q. What is the role of a symbol table in a compiler?
A.
To store the intermediate code
B.
To keep track of variable names and their attributes
C.
To optimize the code
D.
To perform lexical analysis
Show solution
Solution
The symbol table is used to store information about variable names, types, scopes, and other attributes during the compilation process.
Correct Answer:
B
— To keep track of variable names and their attributes
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Q. What is the role of regular expressions in lexical analysis?
A.
To define the grammar of the programming language
B.
To specify the syntax of the tokens
C.
To generate intermediate code
D.
To optimize the parsing process
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Solution
Regular expressions are used to specify the syntax of the tokens that the lexical analyzer recognizes.
Correct Answer:
B
— To specify the syntax of the tokens
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Q. What is the role of semantic actions in syntax-directed translation?
A.
To define the grammar of the language
B.
To specify how to compute attribute values
C.
To optimize the generated code
D.
To perform error handling during parsing
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Solution
Semantic actions specify how to compute attribute values during syntax-directed translation.
Correct Answer:
B
— To specify how to compute attribute values
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Q. What is the role of the parsing table in an LR parser?
A.
To store the grammar rules.
B.
To determine the next action based on the current state and input symbol.
C.
To keep track of the parse tree.
D.
To manage memory allocation.
Show solution
Solution
The parsing table in an LR parser is used to determine the next action (shift, reduce, accept, or error) based on the current state and the next input symbol.
Correct Answer:
B
— To determine the next action based on the current state and input symbol.
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Q. What is the typical output of the intermediate code generation phase?
A.
Source code
B.
Assembly code
C.
Intermediate representation
D.
Executable code
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Solution
The output of the intermediate code generation phase is typically an intermediate representation that can be further optimized and translated into machine code.
Correct Answer:
C
— Intermediate representation
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Q. Which data structure is commonly used to represent the intermediate code in syntax-directed translation?
A.
Parse tree
B.
Abstract syntax tree
C.
Symbol table
D.
Control flow graph
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Solution
An abstract syntax tree is commonly used to represent the intermediate code in syntax-directed translation.
Correct Answer:
B
— Abstract syntax tree
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