1.2 Compilers Vs Interpreters

An Overview of C>>Compilers Vs Interpreters


After going through the brief history of C, it is important to understand that a computer language defines the nature of a program and not the way that the program will be executed. There are two general methods by which a program can be executed. It can be compiled, or it can be interpreted. Although some C interpreters are available, it was developed keeping compilation in mind and you will be using GCC compiler for developing your C programs.

In its simplest form, an interpreter reads the source code of your program one line at a time, performing the specific instructions contained in that line.


A compiler reads the entire program and converts it into object code, which is a translation of the program's source code into a form that the computer can execute directly. Object code is also referred to as binary code or machine code.




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