GATE CS 2023 Set 1 — Question 11

MCQ+1 / -0.33EasyCompiler Design

Compiler Design

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Consider the following statements regarding the front-end and back-end of a compiler. S1 : The front-end includes phases that are independent of the target hardware. S2 : The back-end includes phases that are specific to the target hardware. S3 : The back-end includes phases that are specific to the programming language used in the source code. Identify the CORRECT option.

Correct answer (B) Only S1 and S2 are TRUE. Solution S1 is TRUE : The front-end of a compiler (lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, and intermediate code generation) is designed to be independent of the target machine's architecture. S2 is TRUE : The back-end (code optimization and code generation) is responsible for generating machine-specific code and performing optimizations that depend on the target hardware's registers, instruction set, etc. S3 is FALSE : The back-end operates on the Intermediate Representation (IR) produced by the front-end. It is generally independent of the source programming language, allowing the same back-end to be used for different languages if they share a common IR. Thus, only S1 and S2 are TRUE. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

Review answer and solution without JavaScript

Interactive answer checking needs JavaScript. The published solution is available below.

Correct answer (B) Only S1 and S2 are TRUE. Solution S1 is TRUE : The front-end of a compiler (lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, and intermediate code generation) is designed to be independent of the target machine's architecture. S2 is TRUE : The back-end (code optimization and code generation) is responsible for generating machine-specific code and performing optimizations that depend on the target hardware's registers, instruction set, etc. S3 is FALSE : The back-end operates on the Intermediate Representation (IR) produced by the front-end. It is generally independent of the source programming language, allowing the same back-end to be used for different languages if they share a common IR. Thus, only S1 and S2 are TRUE.

Continue learning with Success Tracker

Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE CS question to check your understanding.

AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans

PYQs with solutions: Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
Practice that adapts: Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
AI doubt support: Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.

Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.

This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.