What is the role of a compiler?

A compiler plays a crucial role in programming by transforming source code, which is written in a high-level programming language that humans can read and write, into machine code or executable code that a computer's processor can understand and execute directly. This process involves several steps, including lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, optimization, and code generation. The end product is a binary file that can be run on a specific platform.

This functionality is essential because high-level languages are designed to be more accessible to developers, allowing them to write code in a more straightforward and organized manner. However, computers operate using machine code, which is significantly more complex and less readable. The compiler acts as an intermediary that bridges this gap, enabling the development of complex software applications.

The other roles suggested in the choices do not accurately reflect the primary function of a compiler. For instance, debugging code is a separate process that typically occurs after compilation, executed by a debugger tool. Executing source code directly pertains to interpreted languages, where an interpreter directly runs the source code line by line without compiling it into machine code first. Developing user interfaces is a design aspect of software development that involves creating visual components and layouts but is not the role of a compiler. Hence, the transformation of source