Compiler and Interpreter

Compiler

1. Scans the entire program and translates it as a whole into machine language code.
2. It takes large amount of time to analyze the source code but the overall execution time is comparatively faster.
3. Generates intermediate object code which further requires linking, hence requires more memory.
4. It generates the error message only after scanning the program. Hence debugging is comparatively hard.
5. Programming language like C, C++ are compilers.

Interpreter

1. Translates program one statement at a time.
2. It takes less amount of time to analyze the source code but the overall execution time is slower.
3. No intermediate object code is generated , hence are memory efficient.
4. Continues translating the program until the first error is met, in which case it stops. Hence debugging is easy.
5. Programming language like Python, Ruby are interpreters.