What is the primary distinction between a compiled language and an interpreted language?

The primary distinction between a compiled language and an interpreted language lies in the requirement of a compiler for compiled languages. Compiled languages need to be translated into machine code before execution. This translation is handled by a compiler, which processes the entire code and produces an executable file. Once compiled, the program can run directly on the target machine without needing the original source code or compiler.

In contrast, interpreted languages do not undergo this pre-compilation step. Instead, an interpreter reads and executes the code line-by-line at runtime. This means interpreted languages can be more flexible and easier to work with during development, allowing for dynamic changes and immediate execution.

Understanding this distinction is vital because it directly impacts aspects such as performance, development speed, and flexibility. For instance, since compiled languages are converted to machine code, they tend to execute faster than interpreted languages, which must be processed during execution.

The other choices, while they touch on relevant aspects of compiled and interpreted languages, do not capture the core distinction effectively. For instance, while it's true that compiled programs can be faster, it's not an inherent rule applicable in all cases, and some interpreted languages are optimized for speed. The assertion that interpreted languages produce machine code is also inaccurate since they typically execute the