Interpreted vs. Compiled Programming Languages

This is the first part of a series of blog posts on the fundamentals of data science using Python.

Faruk Erdoğan Buldur
5 min readMar 11, 2023

Programming languages can be classified into two main categories: compiled and interpreted languages. Compiled languages are those that are transformed into executable code by a compiler, while interpreted languages are executed directly by an interpreter. Each type of language has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between compiled and interpreted programming languages.

Compiled Programming Languages

Compiled programming languages are a type of programming language that requires the source code to be transformed into an executable format before it can be executed. The compilation process involves converting the source code, written in a high-level language, into machine code that can be directly executed by the computer. The output of the compilation process is usually an executable file that can be run on a particular platform or operating system.

One advantage of compiled programming languages is that they tend to run faster than interpreted languages because the code is already in machine language and does not need to be translated at runtime. Compiled languages also tend to have better memory management than interpreted languages because the code is pre-optimized, allowing for more efficient use of resources.

Some of the most popular compiled programming languages include C, C++, Java, and Swift. C and C++ are used widely in system programming and game development, while Java is often used for developing large-scale applications, such as web applications and enterprise software. Swift is a newer language that has gained popularity for developing iOS applications.

Advantages of Compiled Languages:

1. Faster Execution: Because the code is compiled into machine language, the executable code can be executed directly by the computer’s processor, making it faster than interpreted languages.

2. Better Optimization: Since the code is compiled, compilers can optimize the code to improve its performance, making it run more efficiently.

3. Strong Typing: Compiled languages are often statically typed, which means that the data types of variables must be declared before they can be used. This helps catch errors early in the development process, leading to more robust and reliable programs.

Disadvantages of Compiled Languages:

1. Longer Development Cycle: The process of writing and compiling code takes longer than interpreted languages, as the programmer must wait for the compiler to finish the compilation process before testing the code.

2. Platform-Specific: Compiled languages generate platform-specific code, meaning that the code may not be compatible with other platforms without recompiling the code.

Interpreted Programming Languages

Interpreted programming languages are a type of programming language that does not require a compilation step. Instead, the source code is executed directly by an interpreter, which reads and executes the code line-by-line. This allows for more dynamic and interactive programming, as changes to the code can be immediately seen and tested without the need to recompile the entire program.

Some of the most popular interpreted programming languages include Python, JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, and Perl. These languages are commonly used for web development, data analysis, and scripting tasks.

One advantage of interpreted programming languages is that they tend to be more flexible and easier to learn than compiled languages. They also allow for more rapid development, as changes to the code can be quickly tested and debugged. However, they may be slower than compiled languages because the code must be translated into machine language at runtime.

Advantages of Interpreted Languages:

1. Faster Development Cycle: Because there is no compilation step, the code can be tested and modified more quickly, leading to a faster development cycle.

2. Platform Independence: Interpreted languages generate code that is platform-independent, meaning that the code can be executed on different platforms without recompiling the code.

3. Dynamic Typing: Interpreted languages are often dynamically typed, which means that the data types of variables can be inferred at runtime. This allows for more flexibility in coding and reduces the amount of boilerplate code required.

Disadvantages of Interpreted Languages:

1. Slower Execution: Interpreted languages are slower than compiled languages because the code must be executed by an interpreter, which adds overhead.

2. Limited Optimization: Because the code is not compiled, the interpreter cannot optimize the code as well as a compiler can, leading to slower performance.

In summary, both compiled and interpreted programming languages have their own advantages and disadvantages. Compiled languages offer faster execution, better optimization, and strong typing, but they have a longer development cycle and are platform-specific. Interpreted languages offer faster development, platform independence, and dynamic typing, but they have slower execution and limited optimization.

Ultimately, choosing between a compiled or interpreted programming language may depend on various factors, including the type of application you want to develop, the specific requirements of your project, your experience with programming, and the availability of resources and libraries. Here are some examples to illustrate:

  • If you want to develop a system-level software, such as an operating system or a device driver, then a compiled language such as C or C++ may be a better choice due to their low-level control over system resources and memory management.
  • If you want to build a web application or a mobile app, then an interpreted language such as Python or JavaScript may be a better choice because they offer rapid development and ease of use, as well as access to a vast array of libraries and frameworks.
  • If you are developing an algorithm-heavy application, such as scientific computing or machine learning, then a compiled language such as Fortran or Julia may be a better choice due to their efficiency and speed of execution.
  • If you are doing data analysis and data manipulation on a relatively feasible scale, then an interpreted language such as Python may be a better choice because they offer rapid development and ease of use, as well as access to a vast array of libraries and frameworks.
  • If you are developing a script or a quick prototype, then an interpreted language such as Ruby or Perl may be a better choice because of their flexibility and dynamic nature.
  • If you are working in a team with varying levels of programming experience, then an interpreted language such as Python or Ruby may be a better choice because they are generally easier to learn and understand, and allow for more rapid development.

Ultimately, the choice between a compiled or interpreted programming language will depend on the specific needs of your project and the trade-offs between performance, development time, and ease of use. It’s important to evaluate your options carefully and choose the language that best fits your requirements.

Further Reading Links

  1. Compiled Languages Wikipedia
  2. Interpreters Wikipedia
  3. Python Wikipedia

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