Compiler vs Interpreter: Complete Difference Between Compiler and Interpreter

compilers and interpreters convert a high-level language into a machine language. Thus, we study compiler vs interpreter in detail.

• What is compiler?

A compiler is a computer is a high-level programming language that is converted into machine code. Here, a program translates the human-readable code into a language that a computer understands, which is binary 1 and 0 bits. So, compiler meaning is known as a program written in the high-level language and converting the high-level language into the machine or low-level language.

Compiler definition can be stated as a program designed to convert a high-level programming language into a machine or low-level language.

• Example of compiler:

C, C++, C#, Scala, typescript

• Role of a Compiler

The Role of a Compiler can be understood as:

1. The changes in the program’s syntax are made if any mistake arises.
2. All laid down rules about the syntax needed to be obeyed.
3. A compiler is simply a computer program, used to convert a high-level programming language is converted into machine code.

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• What is interpreter?

Interpreter meaning can be understood as a program that translates a programming language into a comprehensible language, and that too once at a time. And usually, the interpreter is smaller in size as compared to a compiler. So, the meaning of interpreter is known as a program that is used for implementing a programming language and also having the same use as of compiler.

An interpreter in computer tells us that each high-level program is converted into the machine code and therefore includes source code, pre-compiled code, and scripts.

• Examples of interpreter:

PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, and Matlab

• Role of an Interpreter

The Role of an Interpreter can be understood as:

1. A device used to translate high-level language programs into machine-level language.
2. It is also used for analyzing and processing programs.
3. It is also used for testing a program quickly.
4. The compiler takes an entire program once at a time.
5. It can convert the source code during runtime.

Thus, we can define a compiler as a computer program that basically functions to transform a high-level programming language into machine code.

Although, compiler and interpreter both perform the same work which is to convert higher-level programming language to machine code. 

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• Types of compilers

Let us see types of compilers as:

1. Cross-compiler
2. Native compiler
3. Bootstrap compiler
4. Decompiler
5. Source-to-source compiler (Transpiler)
6. A language rewriter
7. Bytecode compiler
8. Just-in-time compiler (JIT Compiler)
9. AOT Compilation
10. Assembler

Now, let us study these types of compilers in detail.

1. Cross-compiler

A Cross-compiler runs on a computer whose CPU or operating system is different from the one which produces the code.

2.  Native compiler

A Native compiler produces an output that will run on the same type of computer and operating system as the compiler.

3. Bootstrap compiler

A Bootstrap compiler is written in the language of the compiler itself.

4. Decompiler

A Decompiler lets you translate code from a low-level language to a higher level language.

5. Source-to-source compiler (Transpiler)

A Source-to-source compiler is usually used for high-level languages and is therefore also known as a transcompiler or transpiler.

6. A language rewriter

A language rewriter lets the user translate the form of expressions without any change of language.

7. Bytecode compiler

Bytecode compiler translates a high-level language into an intermediate simple language.

8. Just-in-time compiler (JIT Compiler)

Just-in-time compiler defers compilation until runtime and functions inside the interpreter.

9. AOT Compilation

AOT Compilation compiles a higher-level programming language before the runtime.

10. Assembler

Assembler lets the user translate the human-readable assembly language into machine code. 

• What has interpreted language?

An interpreted language is generally one language that is primarily executed or used as source code or bytecode through a dedicated virtual machine. Python, Ruby, and Java are some of the common examples of this interpreted language.

• What is use of an interpreter?

An interpreter helps to translate a programming language into a comprehensible language, and that too once at a time. And usually, the interpreter is smaller in size as compared to a compiler. So, source code line-by-line during RUN Time is converted by the interpreter.

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• Difference between compiler and interpreter:

So, here we have mentioned down the difference between compiler and interpreter as:

 As we see in the above table:

• The compiler takes an entire program once at a time.
• An intermediate object code is generated.
• The working mechanism of the complier is done before execution is done.
• It is comparatively faster
• Error detection is difficult
• Programming languages used in this are C, C++, C#, Scala, typescript uses a compiler.
• All errors are displayed after compilation, and all the errors are displayed at the same time.
• Memory condition is more or the memory is more due to the creation of object code.
• The usage of the compiler is best suited for the Production Environment
• The model is based on the language translation linking-loading model.

Whereas, we see for an interpreter as well, as:

• The interpreter takes a single line of code once at a time.
• An intermediate object code is not generated.
• The working mechanism of interpreter execution and compilation takes place simultaneously.
• It is comparatively Slower
• Error detection is comparatively Easier
• Programming languages used in this are PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby uses an interpreter.
• All errors are displayed which are of each line one by one.
• The interpreter requires less memory as it does not create intermediate object code.
• The usage of the interpreter is best suited for the program and development environment.
• The model is based on Interpretation Method.

So, we can easily understand compiler vs interpreter based on the above table that depicts interpreter and compiler differences.

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Conclusion

Both the interpreter and compiler are used and designed to perform the same work, but the difference lies in the operating procedure of them both. A source code in an aggregated is used by the Compiler, while constituent parts of the source code are used by the interpreter.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What has interpreted language?

An interpreted language is generally one language that is primarily executed or used as source code or bytecode through a dedicated virtual machine. Python, Ruby, and Java are some of the common examples of this interpreted language.

• What is use of interpreter?

An interpreter helps to translate a programming language into a comprehensible language, and that too once at a time. And usually, the interpreter is smaller in size as compared to a compiler. So, source code line-by-line during RUN Time is converted by the interpreter.

• What is interpreter for example?

An interpreter is a program that covers each high-level program into the machine code and therefore includes source code, pre-compiled code, and scripts.

Examples of interpreter: PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, and Matlab