What is the difference between an interpreter and a compiler? Cuál es la diferencia entre un interpretador y un compilador?

Question

I am confused

Answer 1

In summary, compilers "translate" from one language to another. Sometimes that conversion is directly to machine / native code binaries which can be executed directly by the respective CPU architecture.

Some might only compile to an intermediate byte code binary which, in turn, is interpreted by a JIT compiler via a runtime VM like Kotlin or Java on JVM and C# or F# on .NET CLR.

Compiled binaries can actually undergo a series of compilations as seen with Android. The Android compilation process involves further compiling JVM byte code into Dex byte code. This Dex byte code could be interpreted on older DALVIK runtime or AOC (ahead-of-time) compiled to machine / native code during app installation on the newer ART runtime.

Review the SO link for further understanding on text based interpreted languages.

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2377273/how-does-an-interpreter-compiler-work

Hopefully, this helps with how to think about these two things.

Answer 2

Have a look at these links.

https://www.sololearn.com/Discuss/2335275/any-one-know-about-compiler-and-interpreter

https://www.sololearn.com/Discuss/2355646/what-is-the-difference-between-a-programmer-and-an-interpreter