Comparing a compiler and an interpreter

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Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which translator converts the whole program into machine code before it runs?

A A compiler

B An interpreter

2. Which translator works through the code line by line, translating and running each line in turn?

A A compiler

B An interpreter

3. Which translator produces an executable file that can be run without the source code?

A A compiler

B An interpreter

4. A student wants to give a finished program to a friend who does not have the source code or any translator. Which statement is correct?

A Compile it and share the executable file

B Share it and let the friend use an interpreter on the source code

5. A program has three syntax errors. Which translator reports all of them together after attempting to translate the whole program?

A An interpreter

B A compiler

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1compiler: translates the whole program		AThe compiler translates all of the source code in one go and produces an executable file, which can then be run without the compiler or the source code.
2interpreter: translates line by line		BCompiler: Error on line 3, Error on line 9, Error on line 14
3A compiler gives a full list of errors after it has tried to translate the whole program		CInterpreter: Error on line 3 - stopped
4An interpreter stops at the first error it meets, so later lines are not checked until that one is fixed		DA compiled program is translated once into an executable, so it runs without further translation and is usually faster. An interpreted program is translated every time it runs.
5An interpreter creates an executable file that can be sent to other users		EThe interpreter translates one statement, runs it, then moves to the next. It produces no executable file, so the source code and interpreter are needed every time.
6A compiled program must be translated again every time it is run, so it runs more slowly than an interpreted one		FAn interpreter does not create an executable file. Only a compiler does. Users need the interpreter and the source code to run the program.

Definitions

compiler vs interpreter

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Compiler: translates the _____ program

Interpreter: translates line by ____

Compiler produces an __________ file

Interpreter stops at the _____ error

Compiled code runs ______ than interpreted

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A compiler:

B translates: whole program

C executable: yes

D errors: stops at first one

Question 2

A interpreter:

B translates: line by line

C executable: yes

D errors: stops at first one

Question 3

A IF translator = compiler THEN

B translate whole program

C ELSE

D translate the whole program

E ENDIF

Question 4

A Speed: compiled code is slower

B Reason: already translated

C Interpreted code: translated

D again every time it runs

Question 5

A Compiler error report:

B stops after the first error

C fix them, then recompile

Answer Key

Comparing a compiler and an interpreter

Section A: Quick Questions

A — A compiler

B — An interpreter

A — A compiler

A — Compile it and share the executable file

B — A compiler

Section B: Match the Pairs

compiler: translates the whole program → The compiler translates all of the source code in one go and produces an executable file, which can then be run without the compiler or the source code.

interpreter: translates line by line → The interpreter translates one statement, runs it, then moves to the next. It produces no executable file, so the source code and interpreter are needed every time.

A compiler gives a full list of errors after it has tried to translate the whole program → Compiler: Error on line 3, Error on line 9, Error on line 14

An interpreter stops at the first error it meets, so later lines are not checked until that one is fixed → Interpreter: Error on line 3 - stopped

An interpreter creates an executable file that can be sent to other users → An interpreter does not create an executable file. Only a compiler does. Users need the interpreter and the source code to run the program.

A compiled program must be translated again every time it is run, so it runs more slowly than an interpreted one → A compiled program is translated once into an executable, so it runs without further translation and is usually faster. An interpreted program is translated every time it runs.

Section C: Definitions

compiler vs interpreter — A compiler translates the whole program into an executable before it runs; an interpreter translates and runs line by line, stopping at the first error, with no executable.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Compiler: translates the whole program

Interpreter: translates line by line

Compiler produces an executable file

Interpreter stops at the first error

Compiled code runs faster than interpreted

Section E: Spot the Error

D — A compiler translates the whole program, so it reports all the errors it finds together. Stopping at the first error is what an interpreter does. It should say 'errors: full list reported'.

C — An interpreter translates and runs the code each time and does not produce an executable file. It should say 'executable: none'.

D — The ELSE branch covers the interpreter, which translates one line at a time. Translating the whole program is the compiler's job in the first branch.

A — Compiled code is already translated into an executable, so it usually runs faster. An interpreter has to translate the code again each run, which makes it slower. Line 1 should say 'faster'.

B — A compiler gives a full error report after it has tried to translate the whole program. Stopping at the first error describes an interpreter.