Which term describes an error in the source code that prevents compilation, also called a syntax error?

Which term describes an error in the source code that prevents compilation, also called a syntax error?

• A. Runtime error
• B. Compile-time error
• C. Overflow error
• D. Logic error

Answer: (B)

Errors that stop the translation of your code into an executable are compile-time errors. When the code violates the language’s grammar, the compiler can’t produce machine code, so it reports a syntax error and halts compilation. This is exactly what the term describes: an issue in the source that prevents compilation. By contrast, runtime errors happen after the program runs, such as dividing by zero, while overflow refers to a value that exceeds what a data type can hold, often during execution. Logic errors are mistakes that cause incorrect results but don’t prevent compilation or execution.

Errors that stop the translation of your code into an executable are compile-time errors. When the code violates the language’s grammar, the compiler can’t produce machine code, so it reports a syntax error and halts compilation. This is exactly what the term describes: an issue in the source that prevents compilation. By contrast, runtime errors happen after the program runs, such as dividing by zero, while overflow refers to a value that exceeds what a data type can hold, often during execution. Logic errors are mistakes that cause incorrect results but don’t prevent compilation or execution.