Interpreted Languages vs Compiled Languages: What's the Difference?

When it comes to programming languages, there are two main types: interpreted and compiled. While both types of languages can accomplish the same goals, there are some important differences between the two that developers should be aware of. In this post, we'll explore the differences between interpreted and compiled languages and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

1. Interpreted Languages

An interpreted language is a programming language that is executed line by line, as the code is written. The interpreter reads each line of code, translates it into machine code, and then executes that code. This means that interpreted languages can be executed without being compiled first. Some popular interpreted languages include Python, JavaScript, and Ruby.

Advantages of Interpreted Languages

One of the biggest advantages of interpreted languages is that they are generally easier to learn and use than compiled languages. Because the interpreter translates code on the fly, developers can see the results of their code changes immediately. This can make debugging and testing code much faster and easier.

Interpreted languages are also more flexible than compiled languages. Because the interpreter can execute code dynamically, developers can make changes to the code on the fly. This makes it easier to create interactive applications that respond to user input.

Disadvantages of Interpreted Languages

One of the biggest disadvantages of interpreted languages is that they are generally slower than compiled languages. Because the interpreter has to translate code on the fly, it can't optimize the code as much as a compiler can. This means that interpreted code can be slower to execute, especially for computationally intensive tasks.

Interpreted languages can also be less secure than compiled languages. Because the interpreter executes code dynamically, it can be vulnerable to attacks such as buffer overflows and injection attacks. Developers need to be careful when writing code in interpreted languages to avoid these types of security vulnerabilities.

2.Compiled Languages

A compiled language is a programming language that is compiled into machine code before it is executed. The compiler takes the source code and translates it into machine code that can be executed directly by the computer. Some popular compiled languages include C++, Java, and Swift.

Advantages of Compiled Languages

One of the biggest advantages of compiled languages is that they are generally faster than interpreted languages. Because the code is compiled ahead of time, the compiler can optimize the code for the specific hardware it will be executed on. This means that compiled code can be much faster than interpreted code, especially for computationally intensive tasks.

Compiled languages are also more secure than interpreted languages. Because the code is compiled ahead of time, it is harder to attack the code through buffer overflows or injection attacks. This makes compiled languages a good choice for applications that require high levels of security.

Disadvantages of Compiled Languages

One of the biggest disadvantages of compiled languages is that they are generally harder to learn and use than interpreted languages. Because the code has to be compiled before it can be executed, developers can't see the results of their code changes immediately. This can make debugging and testing code slower and more difficult.

Compiled languages are also less flexible than interpreted languages. Because the code is compiled ahead of time, developers can't make changes to the code on the fly. This makes it harder to create interactive applications that respond to user input.

Ruby Example:

Let's say we want to create a simple program that takes a user's name and age and outputs a greeting. Here's what the code might look like in Ruby:

print "Enter your name: "
name = gets.chomp
print "Enter your age: "
age = gets.chomp.to_i

puts "Hello #{name}, you are #{age} years old."

This code is written in an interpreted language (Ruby), which means that it can be executed without being compiled first. The interpreter reads each line of code, translates it into machine code, and then executes that code.

C Example:

Now, let's take the same program and rewrite it in C, a compiled language. Here's what the code might look like in C:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
   char name[50];
   int age;

   printf("Enter your name: ");
   scanf("%s", name);

   printf("Enter your age: ");
   scanf("%d", &age);

   printf("Hello %s, you are %d years old.\n", name, age);

   return 0;
}

This code is written in C, which means that it must be compiled before it can be executed. The compiler takes the source code and translates it into machine code that can be executed directly by the computer.
Conclusion

In summary, interpreted languages and compiled languages each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Interpreted languages are generally easier to learn and use, more flexible, but slower and less secure. Compiled languages are generally faster and more secure, but harder to learn and use, and less flexible. The choice between an interpreted language and a compiled language depends on the specific needs of the application being developed.