Explain what an interpreter does.

An interpreter is a type of program that executes instructions written in a high-level programming language directly, without the need for a separate compilation step to create an executable file. This means that when a program is run, the interpreter reads the code line by line and performs the specified operations immediately.

This approach allows for greater flexibility during development since programmers can write and test code interactively, making it easier to debug and modify programs on the fly. It contrasts with compiled languages where the code must first be translated into machine-readable binary before execution.

Interpreters also tend to offer better platform independence, as they can run on any system that has the interpreter installed, thus abstracting away some of the complexities of the underlying hardware. This direct execution is particularly beneficial in educational contexts and rapid development scenarios, making it easy for learners to see the results of their code instantaneously.