title: Is there a simple explanation of what a compiler is?
body: <p>In trying to provide a simple answer to a post about a "<a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4155385/c-compiled-application/4155522#4155522">C++ compiled app</a>" I was surprised that there weren't any questions or answers about this basic topic. Even searches on Meta didn't find anything helpful, whether on <a href="https://meta.stackoverflow.com/search?q=compiler+explanation">explaining compilers</a> or <a href="https://meta.stackoverflow.com/search?q=beginning+compiler+questions">beginning compiler questions</a> in general.</p>
  
  <p>We want Stackoverflow to be a good place to find answers about programming. We shouldn't leave something so fundamental to Wikipedia.  A simple analogy would be asking a master carpenter what a 10-penny nail is and getting brushed off. Sure it's a simple question but a carpenter who thinks explaining something so simple is beneath him/her is just being a snob in the best case, politely, or a jerk if otherwise.</p>
  
  <p>At the very least, this question provides a place to gather links to compiler-related explanations inside or outside of Stackoverflow.  </p>
  
  <p>[Id make this CW but don't see the checkbox, has it been moved or deleted?]</p>
  
  <p>In that spirit, I provide the link to the Wikipedia on compilers.  Please edit this post with more links to compiler explanations.</p>
  
  <p>Wikipedia entry on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiler" rel="nofollow noreferrer">compilers</a>.</p>