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Difference between Interpreted and Compiled Languages
Programming languages can be interpreted or compiled. The compiled languages are not interpreted and there is no need to compile the interpreted languages. In this article, we will discuss the difference between compiled and interpreted languages.
Compiled Programming Languages
Compiled programming languages are the languages in which the code has to be compiled to convert it into machine language. This helps the processor execute the code and provide the result. C, C++, C#, Java, etc. are some of the languages which have to be compiled and then executed.
What is Compile?
Compile is a process which is used to convert the code written in human language to the machine language which can be read by the computer. The software program that is used to compile a code is called a compiler. An executable file is created after the code is compiled.
Reasons behind using a Compiler
Developers use compilers as the code is executed at a fast speed. The size of compiled programs is small so they can be easily ported through CDs, DVDs, pen drives, etc.
Types of files created after compilation
The files created after compilation are .exe or .dll. The creation of a file depends on what type of language is used to write the code. The .dll files are created after the compilation of C# code and the .exe file is created after the compilation of C++ code.
Working of a Compiler
The compilation process is a task in which the human-readable language is converted into the machine language with the help of a compiler. The compiler reads the code line by line and then converts it into binary data. Applications can be easily debugged and the errors can be removed before execution.
Advantages of Compiled Languages
Compiled languages have a lot of advantages. The code written in these languages is compiled and converted to a machine language which can be easily executed by the CPU. The code having errors is not compiled so they can be removed before execution.
Disadvantages of Compiled Languages
Compiled languages have many disadvantages listed below −
- The compilation process is an additional task before testing of the code is started
- Binary code generated after compilation is platform-dependent
Interpreted Programming Languages
Interpreted languages are interpreted and not compiled to provide the output. There is no need to compile the program before execution. Some of the examples of interpreted languages are BASIC, Python, JavaScript, etc.
Advantages of Interpreted Languages
Interpreted languages come with a lot of features like dynamic typing. The size of the program is small and can be debugged easily. The code of the interpreted languages is platform-independent.
Disadvantages of Interpreted Languages
The execution speed of the interpreted programming languages is slow in comparison to the compiled ones.
Difference between Compiled and Interpreted Languages
Compiled and interpreted programming languages have many differences and they can be found in the table below −
| Compiled Languages | Interpreted Languages |
|---|---|
| Two steps are followed to execute the code | The code is executed in a single step |
| A code written in a compiled language has to be converted to a machine code for execution | The program is executed directly with any compilation |
| The speed of execution is fast | The speed of execution is slow |
| CPU executes the code | As the code is interpreted, it cannot be executed by the CPU |
| Errors prevent the compiling of codes | All debugging has to be done at run time |
| Examples of compiled languages are C, C++, C#, COBOL, etc. | Examples of interpreted languages are JavaScript, Perl, BASIC, Python, etc. |
| The program is processed as a whole | Each instruction is interpreted once at a time |
| The compiler is used only once if no changes are made to the code | The interpreter runs each time to execute the code |
| RAM is not needed to execute the code | RAM is needed to execute the code |
Conclusion
Programming languages can either be compiled or interpreted to give the result. Programming languages like Java, C, C++, etc. are the languages whose code is compiled and converted into the machine language before execution. Interpreted languages are executed line by line and there is no need to compile the code. The code in the compiled languages runs very fast in comparison to the code written in interpreted languages.
FAQs on Compiled Languages Vs. Interpreted Languages
1. In which type of language the program is converted into machine language?
In compiled programming languages, the code is converted into machine language.
2. The code of which type of language executes at a fast speed?
The code of compiled programming languages runs at a fast speed.
3. The code of which kind of language is run by the CPU?
The code of compiled programming languages is run by the CPU.
4. What kind of language is JavaScript?
JavaScript is an interpreted language.
5. What are the examples of compiled programming languages?
Examples of compiled programming languages are Java, C, C++, etc.
