Where do the compiler and assembler reside on a computer?
<p>So I know the very basics, that a compiler turns source code into assembly code and an assembler turns assembly code into machine code. What I haven't been able to google properly though, is where are they actually located?</p>

<p>I'm assuming that the compiler is just somewhere on the hard drive since you can download compilers from the web and use them for various programming languages.</p>

<p>Is the assembler located on the hard drive, built into the operating system, or somewhere in the actual CPU? Is it possible to select a different assembler to use or do they come preinstalled into the hardware? Also is an assembler language specific like a compiler depending on how the assembly code originated, or is there only one assembler for an entire system? </p>