Interpreter (computing) facts for kids

An interpreter is a special computer program. It helps your computer understand and run instructions. These instructions are written in a programming language. Think of it like a translator. It takes code written by a programmer. Then it turns it into something the computer can do. Interpreters are one of two main ways computers run programs. The other way is using a compiler.

How Interpreters Work

An interpreter is like a language helper for your computer. It takes a program written in a high-level programming language. This is a language that humans can understand better. The interpreter then changes this program into "machine language." Machine language is what the computer's processor truly understands.

Line-by-Line Translation

The cool thing about an interpreter is how it works. It translates and runs your program line by line. Imagine you have a recipe. An interpreter reads one step, does it, then reads the next step, and so on.

Finding Mistakes Quickly

If there's a mistake, called an "error," in any line, the interpreter stops. It tells you about the error right away. The program won't continue until you fix that mistake. This makes it super helpful for finding and fixing problems in your code. It's like having a helpful friend who points out errors as soon as you make them.

Always Ready to Go

For a program to run using an interpreter, the interpreter program must always be active. Every time you want to run the program, the interpreter first translates it. Then it makes the computer execute it. This is great for fixing errors. But it means the interpreter uses some computer memory all the time.

Images for kids

• 

  This diagram shows how an interpreter might be designed.

See also

In Spanish: Intérprete (informática) para niños