Compiler vs Interpreter - Ryzen Hunt
Compiler vs Interpreter
There are two ways to run a program written in any high-level language, either to compile them or to pass them through an interpreter. In this article, we would discuss the definition of Compiler and Interpreter and key differences between them.
Compiler
A compiler is a translator that translates the program of a high-level language (eg - C, C++, JAVA, etc.) into the low-level language (assembly language). A compiler takes the entire program and converts it into object code which is typically stored in a file. In a compiler, the execution of a program is done in two steps:
- Compiling source program into assembly language.
- loading object program in memory and executing.
Interpreter
An interpreter directly executes high-level instructions without converting them into the object program.
Compiler vs Interpreter
| Basis of Comparison | Compiler | Interpreter |
|---|---|---|
| Input | It takes an entire program at a time and scans that program and translates it as a whole into machine code. | It takes code or instruction line by line and translates a single line of code or instruction at a time. |
| Time Consumption | Compiler takes a lot of time to analyze the source code but the overall execution time is much faster. | Interpreter takes very less time to analyze the source code but the overall execution time much slower. |
| Memory | Compiler generates intermediate object code which further requires linking, hence requires more memory. | In interpreter, no intermediate object code is generated, hence is memory efficient. |
| Working Machanism | The compilation is done before execution. | Compilation and execution take place simultaneously. |
| Errors | Compiler displays all the errors after compilation, all together at the same time. | Interpreter displays error line by line. |
| Dynamic Typing | Compiled languages do not support dynamic typing as it is difficult for them to predict what happens at turn time. | Interpreted languages support Dynamic Typing. |
| Advantage | Compiler sends the complete ready-to-use executable machine code to the processor. | Interpreter has simpler development process (specifically in terms of debugging). |
| Disadvantage | Any changes made to the code (e.g. debugging, software extensions etc.) will require it to be converted again. | Interpreter has inefficient conversion process and slow execution speed. |
| Pertaining Programming Languages | Programming languages like C, C++, Scala, and Pascal use compilers. | Programming languages like JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Perl, Matlab, SNOBOL, and PHP use interpreters. |
Note: There is another model available called a compreter (a portmanteau of compiler and interpreter) does not function like normal compilers. In starting code itself is compiled into Object Code. At execution time, it converts the source code just like interpreters. This results in a simplified development process in addition to the high execution speed. Java is one of the the languages that ralies on compreter (both Compiled and Interpreted). The Java code itself is compiled into Object Code. At run time, the JVM interprets the Object code into machine code.
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