What is the primary function of a compiler in programming?

The primary function of a compiler is to translate human language written in a programming language into machine code, which is the low-level code that a computer's processor can understand and execute. This is crucial because programming languages, such as Java, C++, or Python, are designed to be human-readable, allowing developers to create software using syntax and semantics that are more manageable than raw binary code.

The compilation process involves the compiler processing the entire source code and generating an output file that contains machine code, making the program ready for execution. This conversion is essential for software to function on computer hardware since the processor can only execute instructions encoded in its native machine language.

Understanding this function underscores the importance of compilers in software development and how they bridge the gap between human logic and machine execution.