What is a difference between a compiler and an interpreter?
An interpreter creates an executable file.
A compiler creates an executable file.
A compiler is source code.
An interpreter is source code.
One of the key differences between a compiler and an interpreter is how they process and execute the source code.
1. Compilation: A compiler translates the entire source code into machine code or a lower-level language, generating an executable file that can be directly executed by the hardware or operating system. On the other hand, an interpreter does not generate an executable file. It directly interprets and executes the source code line by line or statement by statement.
2. Execution: A compiled program's execution occurs independently of the original source code. Once the compilation is complete and an executable file is generated, the compiled program can be executed multiple times without the need for recompilation. Conversely, interpreted programs execute directly from the source code, each time interpreting and executing the code from scratch.
3. Performance: Compiled programs generally tend to have better performance as they are already translated into machine code or a lower-level language. Interpreted programs, on the other hand, often have a slight performance overhead as they need to interpret and execute the source code at runtime.
4. Portability: Compiled programs are typically platform-specific, meaning the executable file generated by a compiler may only run on a specific hardware architecture or operating system. However, interpreters are generally more portable as they can interpret and execute the source code on any system with the appropriate interpreter installed.
5. Error Detection: Compilers often perform more extensive error checking during the compilation process, catching potential issues in the source code early on. Interpreters generally detect errors during runtime while executing the source code.
In summary, compilers translate the entire source code into an executable file before executing it, while interpreters directly execute the source code without generating an executable file. Compilers offer better performance and may provide more comprehensive error checking, but they result in platform-specific executables. Interpreters are inherently more portable but may have slightly lower performance and detect errors during runtime.