The core function of a compiler in programming is to translate code written in a high-level programming language into machine code or low-level code, which can be executed by a computer's processor. This process involves several stages, including lexical analysis, parsing, and code optimization. By ensuring that the code adheres to syntactic and semantic rules, compilers facilitate the development of efficient and functional software applications. Additionally, compilers often provide useful debugging tools to assist programmers in identifying errors in their code.