Interpreter
An interpreter is a program that directly executes instructions written in a programming or scripting language, without requiring them to be compiled into a machine-language program. It reads and executes code line-by-line or statement-by-statement, translating high-level code into machine code at runtime. This enables immediate execution and debugging, making interpreters essential for scripting languages and rapid development environments.
Developers should learn about interpreters when working with interpreted languages like Python, JavaScript, or Ruby, as they allow for quick prototyping, easier debugging, and platform independence. They are particularly useful in web development, data analysis, and automation scripts where immediate feedback and flexibility are prioritized over raw execution speed. Understanding interpreters also helps in grasping language implementation and runtime behavior.