An interpreter is a program that directly executes instructions written in a programming or scripting language without requiring them to be compiled into machine code. Ruby is an example of an interpreted language.

Key Characteristics:

• Execution: Interprets and executes code line-by-line.
• Error Handling: Errors are detected at runtime, which can make debugging easier as you get immediate feedback.
• Portability: Interpreted code is generally more portable across different platforms since the interpreter handles the platform-specific details.
• Performance: Typically slower than compiled code because the interpreter translates code on the fly.

Example: When you run a Ruby script, the Ruby interpreter reads the script and executes it directly.

puts "Hello, World!"

Major Differences

Translation Process:

• Interpreter: Translates and executes code line-by-line at runtime.
• Compiler: Translates the entire code into machine code before execution.

Execution Speed:

• Interpreter: Generally slower due to on-the-fly translation.
• Compiler: Generally faster because the code is pre-translated into machine code.

Error Detection:

• Interpreter: Errors are detected at runtime.
• Compiler: Errors are detected at compile-time.

Portability:

• Interpreter: More portable as the interpreter handles platform-specific details.
• Compiler_: Less portable as the compiled code is specific to the target platform.

Summary

Interpreter: Executes code line-by-line, providing immediate feedback and better portability but generally slower performance. Compiler: Translates code into machine code before execution, offering faster performance and early error detection but less portability.

Both interpreters and compilers have their own advantages and are chosen based on the specific requirements of the programming language and the application.