Which term runs code line by line?

Enhance your understanding of IGCSE Algorithms and Pseudocode Foundations. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which term runs code line by line?

Explanation:
How a program is executed: whether instructions are run directly from the source as they’re read, or after a separate translation step. An interpreter does exactly that by reading and executing each line (or small block) on the fly, translating as it goes and continuing sequentially. This line-by-line execution makes languages like Python feel immediate—you can run code and see results quickly without generating a separate executable first. In contrast, a compiler translates the entire program into machine code or bytecode before anything runs, producing a standalone file you execute later. That means the execution isn’t happening line by line from the original source at run time. The other terms aren’t about how code runs; they refer to input actions or unrelated concepts, not the method of executing the program.

How a program is executed: whether instructions are run directly from the source as they’re read, or after a separate translation step. An interpreter does exactly that by reading and executing each line (or small block) on the fly, translating as it goes and continuing sequentially. This line-by-line execution makes languages like Python feel immediate—you can run code and see results quickly without generating a separate executable first. In contrast, a compiler translates the entire program into machine code or bytecode before anything runs, producing a standalone file you execute later. That means the execution isn’t happening line by line from the original source at run time. The other terms aren’t about how code runs; they refer to input actions or unrelated concepts, not the method of executing the program.

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