Final answer:
A two pass assembler creates a symbol table during the first pass and translates assembly language to machine instructions on the second pass.
Step-by-step explanation:
A two pass assembler generally creates a symbol table during the first pass and finishes the complete translation from assembly language to machine instructions on the second pass.
In the first pass, the assembler scans the assembly code and stores information about the symbols (labels, variables, etc.) encountered in a symbol table. This symbol table is used in the second pass to resolve any references to symbols and convert the assembly code into machine instructions.
For example, consider the following assembly code:
LOOP: LDA X ; Load X into accumulator
compare: CMP Y ; Compare Y with accumulator
JZ DONE ; Jump to DONE if they are equal
JMP LOOP ; Jump back to LOOP
In the first pass, the assembler would record the symbol 'LOOP' in the symbol table with an associated memory address. In the second pass, when encountering the 'JMP LOOP' instruction, the assembler would use the symbol table to find the memory address for 'LOOP' and convert it into the appropriate machine instruction.