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An interpreted language is one where the code is executed line-by-line by an interpreter, while a compiled language is transformed into machine code that the computer can directly execute. The question of whether python is interpreted language or compiled often comes up among learners.
This distinction matters because it affects how Python programs are executed, their performance, and their overall efficiency.
In this guide, you’ll look at why Python is not compiled language and how that impacts its flexibility and ease of use.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of Python's execution model. Let’s dive in!
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When discussing programming languages, one of the key distinctions is whether they are compiled or interpreted. Let’s look at them in detail:
In compiled languages, the source code is converted into machine code before execution. This process happens once, and the output is a standalone executable file.
This file can then be run directly on any machine that is compatible with the machine code generated, which generally leads to faster execution.
Advantages of Compilation:
In interpreted languages, the source code is translated and executed line-by-line by an interpreter. Rather than creating a standalone executable, the interpreter reads the source code and performs operations directly from the code, meaning that the code is interpreted in real-time during execution.
Advantages of Interpretation:
Also Read: Compiler vs Interpreter: Difference Between Compiler and Interpreter
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Although Python is interpreted language or compiled, it actually features a hybrid approach, blending both compilation and interpretation processes to execute code efficiently.
This process of compiling the source code into bytecode happens automatically when you run a Python program.
The bytecode is saved in .pyc files within the __pycache__ directory. This means that Python doesn’t have to compile the source code every time it runs the program, improving performance on subsequent runs.
Here’s a simple example to illustrate how Python compiles the code into bytecode:
# example.py
def greet(name):
return f"Hello, {name}!"
greeting = greet("Alice")
print(greeting)
Explanation:
Python Execution Flow:
Also Read: High-Level Programming Languages: Key Concepts Explained
After the source code is compiled into bytecode, the PVM interprets it at runtime and executes the bytecode instructions step-by-step.
Since Python is compiled into bytecode before execution, this helps optimize performance by not requiring re-compilation every time the code runs.
However, since Python is interpreted language or compiled, it still relies on the Python Virtual Machine (PVM) to interpret the bytecode, making Python primarily an interpreted language.
Let’s see how Python creates a .pyc file:
# example.py
def multiply(x, y):
return x * y
result = multiply(10, 5)
print(result)
Output:
50
After running the above code (python example.py), check your project folder for the __pycache__ directory. Inside, you should see a file like example.cpython-39.pyc.
After running the code, the output shows 50 as expected since the function multiply(10, 5) returns the product of 10 and 5. Python also creates the .pyc file to improve performance on the next run.
By understanding Python’s hybrid approach, you can better grasp how Python handles code execution and why it's both fast and portable.
A: Python is called an interpreted language because it reads and executes code line-by-line using the Python interpreter, rather than compiling the entire code into machine code before execution.
A: Python is not a compiled language because it doesn't convert source code into machine code ahead of time. Instead, Python code is compiled to bytecode and then interpreted at runtime by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM).
A: Yes, Python first compiles the source code into bytecode, and then the bytecode is interpreted by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM) at runtime, making Python a hybrid language.
A: Bytecode is an intermediate, platform-independent representation of Python code. Python compiles the source code into bytecode, which is then interpreted by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM).
A: Some benefits include better portability (as the bytecode can be interpreted on any machine with a Python interpreter), flexibility for rapid development, and easier debugging, which is why Python is not compiled language but rather interpreted at runtime.
A: Yes, Python can be considered both interpreted and compiled. While it is interpreted at runtime, the code is first compiled into bytecode. This dual process is one of the reasons why Python is not compiled language in the traditional sense.
A: The PVM is responsible for executing Python bytecode. After Python compiles the source code into bytecode, the PVM reads and executes the bytecode instructions line-by-line at runtime.
A: Yes, Python is generally slower than fully compiled languages because the interpreter executes the bytecode line-by-line rather than running machine code directly.
A: Yes, Python requires an interpreter on every machine where the code is run. This is one of the reasons Python is so portable—any system with the Python interpreter can run Python code.
A: You can improve Python performance by using tools like Cython, PyPy, or optimizing your code for faster execution. Additionally, using efficient libraries can significantly speed up your Python programs.
A: Yes, you can package Python code into executables using tools like PyInstaller or cx_Freeze, but it still requires an interpreter for execution. However, these tools bundle the interpreter along with the code for easier distribution.
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