2010-10-29, 03:49 PM
I have often wondered the same thing as the OP, at least how I am reading it, but I find these answers kind of vague. They touch on the general concepts of binary and on/off or 1/0.
How does a compiler translate "int i = 0; while (true) { i++; }" into an infinite process of summation? "A compiler does it" does not suffice for me.
A compiler is a program, and it compiles written code into a program. That creates a loop, so how did the first compiler exist? How do you go from basic binary circuity akin to Minecraft's Red dust to the complex systems used everyday by billions?
I suppose, ultimately, what I want to know is this: How could a person manually compile a program? I realise it would be incredibly complex for most programs and there is no reason to do it other than knowing for the sake of knowing.
On a mildly related subject, why will a binary that works on Windows not work on Linux and vise-versa? (I have no idea how Mac uses binaries.)
I might be diverting from the OP's train of thought, though.
How does a compiler translate "int i = 0; while (true) { i++; }" into an infinite process of summation? "A compiler does it" does not suffice for me.
A compiler is a program, and it compiles written code into a program. That creates a loop, so how did the first compiler exist? How do you go from basic binary circuity akin to Minecraft's Red dust to the complex systems used everyday by billions?
I suppose, ultimately, what I want to know is this: How could a person manually compile a program? I realise it would be incredibly complex for most programs and there is no reason to do it other than knowing for the sake of knowing.
On a mildly related subject, why will a binary that works on Windows not work on Linux and vise-versa? (I have no idea how Mac uses binaries.)
I might be diverting from the OP's train of thought, though.