Final answer:
The symbol table is used during the compilation of a program to map symbolic names to their information, such as address and type, and is used in various phases like syntax analysis, semantic analysis, and code generation for symbol consistency, scope validation, and address allocation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symbol table is a data structure used by a compiler or an assembler during the process of compilation or assembly of a program. This table is essential for linking and loading processes as well as for debugging purposes. The symbol table maps symbolic names, which are human-readable identifiers in the source code, to specific information about each symbol, such as its address, type, and scope. When the source code is compiled, the compiler uses the symbol table to resolve references to variables, functions, and other entities defined within the program.
Different phases of compilation make use of the symbol table. During the syntax analysis phase, for example, each identified symbol is entered into the symbol table. Later, during semantic analysis, the information in the symbol table is used to check for symbol consistency and scope rules. Ultimately, during the code generation phase, the symbol table provides the address or offset for variables and function calls, which is necessary for generating the correct machine code instructions.