From: Erik Max Francis <max AT alcyone DOT com>
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject: Re: Interpreted languages.
Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 14:13:51 -0700
Organization: Alcyone Systems
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Jeff Weeks wrote:

> I agree with the first paragraph.  Some place or another the processor
> is going to have to interpret something.  You say you compile things
> into machine code... you're exactly right... machine CODE.  Code which
> must be interpreted by the processor.  The processor has to look at the
> code in memory and say, "Oh, EA... that means jump" and does a jump.
> Just because it does this blindingly fast doesn't mean it's not
> interpreted.

The reason a distinction is made between compiled and interpreted
languages is that compiled languages are faster, since they're turning
source code into a binary form native to the processor in question.

Obviously the processor executed compile machine code.  But that's missing
the purpose of the distinction is made between compiled and interpreted
languages.

-- 
       Erik Max Francis, &tSftDotIotE / email / max AT alcyone DOT com
                     Alcyone Systems /   web / http://www.alcyone.com/max/
San Jose, California, United States /  icbm / 37 20 07 N  121 53 38 W
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     "Covenants without the sword / are but words."
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