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

The interpretation of a program primarily involves executing the code one statement at a time, sequentially. This means that an interpreter reads and executes the high-level instructions directly, translating them into actions on the fly, without the need for prior compilation into machine code.

This process contrasts with compilation, where the entire program is translated into machine code before any part of it is executed. While an interpreter does execute each statement in order, it dynamically processes each line, allowing immediate execution and facilitating easier debugging and rapid development. This execution model can significantly aid in understanding program flow during development, as output can be observed incrementally after each statement is executed.

By focusing on sequential execution, the interpreter can also handle interactive environments effectively, allowing users to test code snippets or algorithms in real time, which is especially valuable in educational contexts or during iterative development cycles.