How does a compiler differ from an interpreter?

A compiler is designed to translate the entire source code of a program into machine code before execution begins. This process allows the resulting binary code (also known as executable code) to be run directly by the computer's operating system. By translating the entire program at once, compilers can perform various optimizations that enhance performance, reduce execution time, and improve efficiency overall. Once the compilation is complete, the program can be executed multiple times without the need for re-interpretation of the code.

In contrast, an interpreter translates and executes code sequentially, often line-by-line. This means that as soon as it encounters a line of code, it translates that line into machine language and executes it before moving on to the next line. This can make interpreted programs slower compared to their compiled counterparts because of the overhead of processing each line in real-time.

The distinction between compilation and interpretation is significant in programming and software development, impacting performance and how developers execute and debug their code.