What is one key advantage of interpreted programs?

One significant advantage of interpreted programs is that they can be modified at run time. This allows developers to test changes and adjustments in the code without needing to stop the execution of the program. Since the interpreter executes the code line by line, it provides a flexible environment for debugging and iterative development. For example, if a programmer realizes that a particular function needs tweaking, they can alter the code and see the effects immediately without recompiling the entire program. This dynamic capability is particularly beneficial during the development phase, empowering programmers to enhance their programs efficiently and in real-time.

On the other hand, options that suggest interpreted programs rarely need to be modified, are error-free, or compile quickly do not accurately capture the nature of interpreting. Interpreted programs do not inherently minimize the need for modifications; they may be changed frequently as part of the development process. Additionally, error checking occurs at runtime, meaning interpreted programs are not guaranteed to be error-free. Lastly, while compiled programs typically have quicker execution times once compiled, interpreted programs operate without the compilation step, which can lead to slower performance overall when compared to precompiled binaries.