Front end and back end: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:15, 17 April 2023

Revision as of 14:16, 17 April 2023

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In [[compilers]], the [[Compilers#Frontend|frontend]] [[Translator (computing)|translates]] a computer programming [[source code]] into an [[intermediate representation]], and the backend works with the intermediate representation to produce code in a computer output language. The backend usually [[Program optimization|optimizes]] to produce code that runs faster. The frontend/backend distinction can separate the [[Parsing|parser]] section that deals with source code and the backend that [[Code generation (compiler)|generates code and optimizes]]. Some designs, such as [[GNU Compiler Collection|GCC]], offer choices between multiple frontends (parsing different source [[Programming language|languages]]) or backends (generating code for different target [[Central processing unit|processors]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rmuhamma/Compilers/MyCompiler/phase.htm|title=Operating Systems Notes|last=Bin Muhammad|first=Rashid|website=www.personal.kent.edu|publisher=Kent State University|access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>

Some [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) applications running in a [[desktop environment]] are implemented as a thin frontend for underlying [[command-line interface]] (CLI) programs, to save the user from learning the special terminology and memorizationmemorizing ofthe [[Command (computing)|commands]].

=== Web development as an example ===