What is the Difference Between Assembler and Interpreter?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between an assembler and an interpreter lies in the type of code they process and how they process it. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Assembler:
- It is a special type of compiler that translates assembly language code into machine language code.
- Assembly language is a low-level language that uses mnemonics like ADD, MUL, MUX, SUB, DIV, and MOV.
- Assemblers are used for specific hardware, as the code they generate is machine-dependent.
- Errors are displayed only after the entire program has been translated.
- Interpreter:
- It is a tool that executes instructions written in a high-level programming language.
- Interpreters either directly execute high-level code or translate it to an intermediate code first, then execute the intermediate code.
- They are used for specific programming languages, as the code they execute is language-dependent.
- Errors are displayed for each interpreted instruction, if any.
In summary, assemblers are responsible for converting assembly language code into machine language code, while interpreters execute instructions written in high-level programming languages. Assemblers are used for specific hardware, whereas interpreters are used for specific programming languages.
Comparative Table: Assembler vs Interpreter
Here is a table that highlights the differences between an assembler and an interpreter:
Feature | Assembler | Interpreter |
---|---|---|
Language Translation | Converts low-level language (assembly) to machine language. | Converts high-level language to machine language. |
Program Execution | Translates entire program before running. | Translates program instructions line by line. |
Error Display | Errors are displayed before program is running. | Errors are displayed for every interpreted instruction (if any). |
Memory Usage | Requires memory for storing executable file. | Uses memory for interpreting instructions line by line. |
Program Dependency | Program for an assembler is written for specific hardware. | Program for an interpreter is written for a specific language. |
Instruction Translation | One instruction translates to only one instruction. | One instruction translates to many instructions. |
An assembler is a program that translates assembly language, which consists of mnemonics like GO, HALT, JUMP, and NOT, into machine language. In contrast, an interpreter is a program that converts high-level language into machine language. The main differences between the two are the level of the language they work with and how they translate the code.
- Assembler vs Compiler
- Interpreter vs Translator
- Machine Language vs Assembly Language
- Debugger vs Compiler
- Translate vs Interpret
- Assembly vs DLL
- Linker vs Loader
- Source Code vs Bytecode
- Emulator vs Simulator
- Encoder vs Decoder
- Compile Time vs Runtime
- ALU vs CPU
- Processor vs Microprocessor
- RISC vs CISC processor
- MIPS vs ARM
- Administrator vs Executor
- C vs C++
- x86 vs x64
- Binary vs ASCII