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Difference Between Assembler and Interpreter
The assembler and interpreter are responsible for the execution of a program. The assembler converts the code written in an assembly language into the machine code. Interpreters execute the code directly in a sequential order. In this article, we will discuss the difference between assembler and interpreter.
What is an Assembler?
An assembly language consists of mnemonics to write code in human-readable language. These mnemonics are GO, HALT, JUMP, NOT, and many more. An assembler is used to translate the code written in assembly language into machine language which could be understood by the machine.
Types of Assemblers
Assemblers are of many types and we will discuss them here in detail.
- One-Pass Assembler ? One-pass assembler is an assembler which has the ability to translate a code in a single pass.
- Two/Multi-Pass Assembler ? This is a type of assembler which translates the code written in an assembly language into system code by two or more passes.
What is an Interpreter?
An interpreter is a program which has to convert a program written in a high-level language into the machine language. An interpreter is a translator that executes one line at a time. A program written in a high-level language has to be interpreted and then executed.
Types of Interpreters
Interpreters are of many types and we will discuss about them here.
- Bytecode Interpreter ? The source code is compiled by a compiler and then converted into the bytecode. The interpreter converts this bytecode into the machine code for execution.
- Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) Interpreter ? This interpreter changes the code into the form of a tree which is sent to the interpreter for execution.
- Threaded Code Interpreter ? This is an interpreter which is used in the formation of virtual machine interpreters. It uses pointers to access the instructions or functions of the source code.
- Self-Interpreter ? This is an interpreter which has the ability to execute the code by itself. An example is the interpreter of the Basic language.
Difference between Assembler and Interpreter
Here is the table for the difference between Assembler and Interpreter.
| Assembler | Interpreter |
|---|---|
| Assembler is used to convert a program written in a low-level language into machine language. | An interpreter is used to convert a program written in a high-level language into the machine language. |
| Assembler deals with the programs written for a particular hardware. | Interpreter deals with the programs written in a particular programming language. |
| The assembler translates only one instruction at a time. | One instruction can be translated into many instructions at a time. |
| Assembler is able to translate the whole program and then it is executed. | Interpreter translates and execute each line of a program. |
| Assembler reports errors if any before the execution of a program. | The interpreter stops its work when it finds any error in a program. |
| It creates an executable file for a program. | It runs every time when a program is executed. |
| The memory requirement to work with an assembler is less. | Memory requirement is more to work with an interpreter. |
| It converts the code written in Assembly language into machine code. | It converts the code written in Python, JavaScript, Perl, etc. into the machine language. |
| An object code is produced by the assembler which is run by a machine through a linker program. | Interpreters run the programs on their own. |
| One-to-one translation is performed by the assembler. | One to many translations is performed by an interpreter. |
| The speed of execution of the code is fast. | The speed of execution of the code is slow. |
Read also Difference between Compiler and Interpreter
Conclusion
The assembler and interpreter have the responsibility of converting a source code into machine code for execution. An assembler converts the whole source code into the machine code. If there is any error the assembler displays it. The assembler converts the source code into an executable file. An interpreter interprets the code line by line, shows the error, and stops working till the error is eliminated. No executable file is created by an interpreter.
FAQs on Assembler Vs. Interpreter
1. Which tool executes a program at a fast speed?
Assemblers execute the code at a fast speed. It converts the whole source code into the machine code that helps in generating executable files for each program. Interpreters execute the code line by line.
2. Which tool requires less memory?
Assembler requires less memory to convert a source code into machine code. An interpreter uses many resources to execute a program line by line.
3. Which tool produces object code?
An assembler produces object code and the machine uses the linker program to run the code. Interpreters run the programs on their own.
4. Which tool reports errors before executing a program?
An assembler reports an error in the code before it is converted into the machine code.
5. What types of programs does an interpreter deal with?
An interpreter deals with programs written in high-level languages like Java, JavaScript, Python, etc. An assembler deals with the code written in an assembly language.
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