Code Translation

Function-level translation between languages. The goal is observably equivalent behavior — same inputs → same outputs, same side effects, same error behavior. Not line-by-line transliteration; idiomatic code in the target.

For whole modules/packages, → module-level-code-translator (handles imports, file structure, cross-function concerns).

The three layers

1. Syntax — the easy part. for x in xs ↔ for (auto& x : xs). Mechanical.
2. Semantics — the dangerous part. 3 / 2 is 1 in Python 2, 1.5 in Python 3, 1 in C. Integer overflow, null semantics, string encoding.
3. Idiom — the quality part. [x*2 for x in xs if x > 0] → Java stream, not a for-loop with an ArrayList. Optional but expected.

Semantic minefields — per language pair