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Which is better: online compiler or standalone?

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Did you know?

To use an online compiler, you only need a web browser and an active internet connection. 

It is defined as a computer program that translates the statement of one programming language into another programming language. 

Whereas a standalone program also defined as the freestand program is called the computer program that may not load any type of external module or library function that will not be designed to get the bootstrap procedure. 

Though, the confusion may often arise among programmers as which is better among an online compiler or a standalone?

To help you in this regard, we have prepared this blog post, where we will arm you with the adequate knowledge regarding the online C editor and a standalone. 

Without any kind of ado, let’s get started!

Online Compilers 

Online C compilers are regarded as the computer software that helps in the conversion of the high-level source code into the executable machine code that is in the form of 0s and 1s. 

Compilers help in scanning the high-level language code to show different types of errors that are being present in the command line. They support the latest version of C language and help all programmers to write, run or share several codes in an ideal way. 

The compiler will give input to a program known as the source program to convert it into the output of the object code. 

Working of an online compiler

When you are going to learn about the online compilers, you should know about its various phases which include:

  • Lexical analysis: Here the source code will be tested by a lexer who will break it into the tokens 
  • Syntax analysis: A compiler parser will check the code for varied syntax errors to ensure the rules of a programming language
  • Semantic analysis: If the code comes out to be correct, a semantic analysis will be performed on the parsed code in order to get its desired meaning 
  • Optimisation: The compiler will perform optimization in order to improve the performance of a resultant code 
  • Code generation: A compiler will translate the AST into the machine-reading code

Standalone applications 

The standalone applications are also regarded as the desktop application in any software program that is designed to effectively run it. These applications are basically used when a user needs to perform any specific task with the help of a local machine. 

All types of desktop softwares like gaming applications, mobile apps or medical devices are examples of standalone applications. 

Some of its key features are:

  • Offline functionality: When a user uses the standalone applications, they don’t need an internet connection for running it
  • Better performance: The application can directly run on a user’s device without the internet connection as they have fast performance
  • Greater control: These applications are known to have better control as they don’t depend on any outside servers 
  • Simple distribution: These types of applications can be made available to a large set of users. 

Using the standalone option for compilers 

You can have the opportunity to compile several applications like -T or standalone applications commands. There will be an SC compiler that will be helpful in generating the stand-alone applications. 

In the standalone mode, operators will be infused with the help of a single partition. The application bundle file will be generated alongside the stand-alone execution file with the name of standard output dictionary. 

Why are online compilers considered a better option?

A software piece that runs without any type of environment is referred to as the standalone program. On the other hand, a compiler is touted as a special program that helps in the translation of a source code into another machine-level code or programming language. This can be written in the human readable form.

Compilers are generally considered to be a better option as compared to the standalone. Well, this account for several reasons.

Enabling the concept of the high-level languages 

As you all know that codes are written in the compiler in the form of high-level language. This makes it easier or better for all the programmers to understand the codes in the human form rather than converting it into the machine language form. 

Just a one-time efforts 

Compilers are usually recognised to convert the high-level language code into the machine language code. This machine code will be stored as the file extension .exe which can be executed directly by a user. 

Hence, there will be one-time effort to compile a given code into the machine code. After that you can use this code with the help of an .exe file. The process will allow all the programs to run fast and efficiently at the desired runtime. 

Portability 

Compilers help in the translation of source code that is being written in the high-level language into the desired machine code. It also enables the running of a machine code with the help of several operating systems or hardware architecture as it is considered platform independent.

Security 

In comparison to the standalone, the online C  compilers are considered much more secure as they offer programmer’s security by reducing the memory-related errors like buffer flow. They help in the adequate analysing of all the desired codes so that the user will understand it adequately and use it as per his convenience. It also helps in the generation of warings in case any type of errors arise. 

Additional learning – fibonacci series in c

When we are into learning the C language, we can’t take the risk of escaping the concept of  the Fibonacci series in C. In this series any next number is considered as the sum of all its previous numbers. The first two numbers in a fibonacci series are always 0s and 1s. 

Wrapping up 

Take cues from this blog post when it comes to learning the concept of standalone programs and the online compilers. Read them in detail and get the answer of which one is better so as to implement your programs ideally.

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