Difference Between Compiled Language and Interpreted Language

Compilers and interpreters are programs that transform source code (a file containing the program) into machine code that a processor can comprehend. The basic distinction between compiled and interpreted languages is that a compiler translates source code to machine code as a whole, whereas an interpreter does it line by line.

The distinction between compiled and interpreted languages in Java is that compiled code may run faster than interpreted code; however, compiled code is not platform-independent. Instead of machine code, an interpreted language is compiled into an intermediate form. In this article, we describe the capabilities of the compiler and the interpreter separately and then examine the distinction between Compiled Language and Interpreted Language.

What is Compiled Language?

Generally, a compiled language is a programming language that is compiled rather than interpreted. Once built, the programme is represented in the instructions of the target machine; this machine code is unintelligible to humans. Compiler languages include C, C++, C#, CLEO, and COBOL.

Advantages:

• Compiled languages have several advantages over interpreted languages. One of the main advantages is that they are typically faster, as the code is translated into machine code before it is executed, rather than being interpreted at runtime.
• Additionally, compiled languages can be more secure, as the code is not visible to the user in its original form, which can make it more difficult to reverse engineer or modify. Compiled languages also typically provide better error checking and debugging capabilities, as the code is checked for errors before it is executed, rather than at runtime.
• Finally, compiled languages can be more portable, as the compiled code can be run on different systems without the need to recompile it.

Disadvantages:

• One of the main disadvantages is that they can be more difficult to develop and test, as changes to the code require it to be recompiled before it can be executed. This can make the development process slower and more tedious. Additionally, compiled languages can be more difficult to debug, as errors may not be detected until the code is compiled and run, which can make it harder to find and fix bugs.
• Another disadvantage is that compiled languages are generally less flexible and more difficult to extend than interpreted languages, as they often require extensive modification of the source code and recompilation to add new features or change existing ones.
• Also, compiled languages are generally less platform-independent, as the compiled code can only run on the specific platform for which it was compiled. This means that if you want to run the code on multiple platforms, you have to recompile it for each platform, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.

What is Interpreted Language?

A programming language typically interpreted without being compiled into machine instructions is known as an interpreted language. It is a program whose instructions are not performed directly by the target machine but rather read and executed by another program. Languages that may be interpreted include JavaScript, Perl, Python, BASIC, etc.

Advantages:

• One of the main advantages is that they are generally easier to develop and test, as changes to the code can be immediately executed without the need to recompile. This can make the development process faster and more flexible. Additionally, interpreted languages are often more platform-independent, as the interpreted code can be run on any platform that has an appropriate interpreter.
• Another advantage of interpreted languages is that they are generally more flexible and easier to extend than compiled ones, as new features or changes can be added to the code without recompiling. This can make developing and maintaining large and complex software projects easier.
• Interpreted languages also have a more interactive development environment, which allows developers to quickly test and debug code. This can make it easier to find and fix errors in the code.
• Finally, interpreted languages often require less memory and storage space than compiled languages, as the interpreted code does not need to be stored in machine-readable format, which can save disk space.

Disadvantages:

• Interpreted languages also have a less robust error checking and debugging capabilities, as the code is only checked for errors at runtime, which can make it harder to find and fix bugs.
• Additionally, interpreted languages are generally less portable, as the interpreted code can only be run on systems with an appropriate interpreter, making it harder to deploy the code to different platforms.
• Finally, interpreted languages are often less efficient in terms of memory and storage usage, as the interpreter needs to keep the entire program in memory for execution, and the interpreted code is generally larger than compiled code.

Compiled Language vs. Interpreted Language

Conclusion

Compiled and interpreted languages are two different types of programming languages that have their own advantages and disadvantages. Compiled languages are translated into machine code before they are executed, which makes them faster and more secure, but also more difficult to develop and debug. Interpreted languages are executed directly from the source code, which makes them easier to develop and test, but also slower and less secure.

Compiled languages provide better error checking and debugging capabilities, and are more portable, but are generally less flexible and more difficult to extend than interpreted languages. On the other hand, Interpreted languages are generally more platform-independent, more flexible and easier to extend, but can be less efficient in terms of memory and storage usage.

Ultimately, the choice between a compiled or interpreted language will depend on the project's specific requirements and the development team's strengths. Both types of languages have their own unique features and can be used effectively in different scenarios.

Related Questions

1. Can an interpreted language be modified without re-executing?

No, changes to an interpreted language require it to be re-executed before they take effect.

2. Which type of language is faster, compiled or interpreted?

Compiled languages are typically faster than interpreted languages.

3. Which type of language is more secure, compiled or interpreted?

Compiled languages are typically more secure than interpreted languages.

4. Which type of language is more suitable for large and complex software projects, compiled or interpreted?

It depends on the project's specific requirements and the development team's strengths. Both types of languages have their own unique features and can be used effectively in different scenarios.