Binary Translation
Binary translation is a technique in computer science that converts executable code from one instruction set architecture (ISA) to another, enabling software to run on hardware it wasn't originally designed for. It involves analyzing and translating machine code at runtime or ahead-of-time, often used for system emulation, virtualization, or performance optimization. This process allows legacy applications to function on modern systems or facilitates cross-platform compatibility without source code modifications.
Developers should learn binary translation when working on emulation projects (e.g., gaming consoles or legacy systems), virtualization platforms (like QEMU or Rosetta), or performance tools (such as dynamic binary instrumentation). It's essential for scenarios where source code is unavailable, hardware migration is needed (e.g., transitioning from x86 to ARM), or for security analysis through binary rewriting. Understanding this concept helps in building efficient cross-architecture software and debugging low-level code.