If we were to go to a foreign country, where communicating in the native language is difficult, life would have been hazardous. Expecting something in return when asked would be tough unless we have a translator. Even though we don’t go to a different nation every day, we communicate with someone who does not understand any human language; A computer. We speak to a computer through a high-level programming language but did you know that the programming language isn’t the ultimate language that a computer understands? We have system software known as compilers and interpreters that aids in making the conveyance smoother. What are these compilers and interpreters? are they the same? Is there any difference between compilers and interpreters? Show
Both compiler and interpreter are key components needed to convert a program written in a high-level language into machine code that can be understood by a computer. A compiler and an interpreter, however, function very differently, and there are some differences between the two. In this article, we are going to see what is compilers and interpreters as well as the difference between Compiler and Interpreter. What are Compilers?A compiler is computer software that readily translates programming language into machine code or assembly language or low-level language. It translates every program to binary(1’s and 0’s) that a computer feasibly understands and does the task that corresponds to the code. One condition that a compiler has to follow is the syntax of the programming language that is used. Thus, if the syntax of the program does not match the analysis of the compiler, an error arises that has to be corrected manually in the program written. Working of CompilerThe main work of the compiler is to translate the program into machine code and let the programmer know if there are any errors, ranges, limits, etc., especially the syntactical errors in the program. It analyses the entire program and converts it into machine code. The working of a compiler can be categorized into the following phases:
Benefits of CompilersThe compiler offers various advantages which can be summed up as follows:
Role of a Compiler
What is an Interpreter?An interpreter is a computer program that converts program statements into machine code. Program statements include source code, pre-compiled code, and scripts. Unlike a compiler, an interpreter takes a shorter amount of time to interpret a program. Since interpreters simplify the process of working with source code, they are especially useful for beginners. Working of InterpreterAn interpreter works more or less similar to a compiler. The only difference between their working is that the interpreter does not generate any intermediate code forms, reads the program line to line checking for errors, and runs the program simultaneously. Benefits of InterpretersThe interpreter offers various advantages which can be summed up as follows:
Role of an Interpreter
Difference Between Compiler and InterpreterWhile it looks like Compiler and Interpreter work the same by translating programs into machine code, there is a very thin line that differentiates both of them. The differences are as follows:
ConclusionTo sum up, the compilers and the interpreters are like an oven and induction stove. Its functioning is almost the same; To convert a programming language into a machine language. But, the working differs. Their usage depends on the language being used and the purpose. Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Which is better? Compiler or Interpreter? Q: Which is faster? Compiler or Interpreter? Q: Can anyone use an interpreter instead of a compiler? Q: Is Python interpreter or compiler? Q: What are the examples of interpreters? Additional ResourcesPage 2
If we were to go to a foreign country, where communicating in the native language is difficult, life would have been hazardous. Expecting something in return when asked would be tough unless we have a translator. Even though we don’t go to a different nation every day, we communicate with someone who does not understand any human language; A computer. We speak to a computer through a high-level programming language but did you know that the programming language isn’t the ultimate language that a computer understands? We have system software known as compilers and interpreters that aids in making the conveyance smoother. What are these compilers and interpreters? are they the same? Is there any difference between compilers and interpreters? Both compiler and interpreter are key components needed to convert a program written in a high-level language into machine code that can be understood by a computer. A compiler and an interpreter, however, function very differently, and there are some differences between the two. In this article, we are going to see what is compilers and interpreters as well as the difference between Compiler and Interpreter. What are Compilers?A compiler is computer software that readily translates programming language into machine code or assembly language or low-level language. It translates every program to binary(1’s and 0’s) that a computer feasibly understands and does the task that corresponds to the code. One condition that a compiler has to follow is the syntax of the programming language that is used. Thus, if the syntax of the program does not match the analysis of the compiler, an error arises that has to be corrected manually in the program written. Working of CompilerThe main work of the compiler is to translate the program into machine code and let the programmer know if there are any errors, ranges, limits, etc., especially the syntactical errors in the program. It analyses the entire program and converts it into machine code. The working of a compiler can be categorized into the following phases:
Benefits of CompilersThe compiler offers various advantages which can be summed up as follows:
Role of a Compiler
What is an Interpreter?An interpreter is a computer program that converts program statements into machine code. Program statements include source code, pre-compiled code, and scripts. Unlike a compiler, an interpreter takes a shorter amount of time to interpret a program. Since interpreters simplify the process of working with source code, they are especially useful for beginners. Working of InterpreterAn interpreter works more or less similar to a compiler. The only difference between their working is that the interpreter does not generate any intermediate code forms, reads the program line to line checking for errors, and runs the program simultaneously. Benefits of InterpretersThe interpreter offers various advantages which can be summed up as follows:
Role of an Interpreter
Difference Between Compiler and InterpreterWhile it looks like Compiler and Interpreter work the same by translating programs into machine code, there is a very thin line that differentiates both of them. The differences are as follows:
ConclusionTo sum up, the compilers and the interpreters are like an oven and induction stove. Its functioning is almost the same; To convert a programming language into a machine language. But, the working differs. Their usage depends on the language being used and the purpose. Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Which is better? Compiler or Interpreter? Q: Which is faster? Compiler or Interpreter? Q: Can anyone use an interpreter instead of a compiler? Q: Is Python interpreter or compiler? Q: What are the examples of interpreters? Additional Resources |