Translating code into something that the computer understands

The code that a programmer writes is called source code. As we saw in Chapter 1, Introduction to Computer Programs this code must be translated into machine code so that the computer can understand it. There are two main principles of how this translation is done. We will first explore these two concepts and look at their pros and cons before we look at a combination of these two concepts.

Interpreting

One way to carry out this translation is by using an interpreter. An interpreter will look at a single line of source code, translate it into machine code, let the computer execute this line, and then move on to the next line of code. The way the interpreter works is a bit like how a simultaneous translator works with human languages. A simultaneous translator will, for example, work for the UN. In the UN, everyone is entitled to speak in their native language. A group of translators listens to the talk, and as they...