Arizona State University (ASU) CSE240 Introduction to Programming Languages Midterm Practice Exam

The correct answer identifies the two primary categories of programming languages based on how their code is executed by a computer: compiled languages and interpreted languages.

Compiled languages are those where the source code is translated into machine code by a compiler before being executed. This compilation process creates an executable file that the computer can run directly, leading to often improved performance since the program is already translated into machine understandable code.

On the other hand, interpreted languages are executed line-by-line by an interpreter at runtime without the need for prior compilation. This can facilitate development and debugging, as developers can test their code incrementally. However, it may lead to slower execution compared to compiled languages, as the translation happens during execution.

Understanding these two execution models helps programmers choose the appropriate language based on performance requirements, ease of development, and other project needs. This distinction is fundamental in programming language design and impacts how software is developed and optimized.