Question

Converting computer code for other operating systems is done by a compiler. True or false?

Answer 1

A computer doesn't actually understand Java or C++ or Python. It only understands machine language, in 1s and 0s.

Just like someone translating from, say, English to Spanish, you have two choices:
translate it in advance (like compiling a Spanish edition of a book)
or translate it live (working with an interpreter who translates for you).

Computers are no different. Some programming languages use an interpreter, which translates live. Most use a compiler, which translates ahead of time for the specific type of computer.

So, yes, a compiler is one of the ways to convert written code (like Java) into something the operating system can understand and run. Without that, the computer won't understand the code you've written.


(One warning: If the question is "Is a compiler the ONLY way...?", then no, because some languages aren't compiled; they're interpreted.)