Compiled and interpreted languages are two different approaches to executing code:

1. **Compiled Languages:**
– **Definition:** Compiled languages are ones where the source code is translated into machine code (binary code) by a compiler before execution.
– **Process:** The compilation process involves translating the entire source code into machine code all at once. This resulting machine code is then executed directly by the computer’s CPU.
– **Advantages:**
– Typically faster execution because the code is already translated into machine code.
– Errors are caught early during compilation, reducing runtime errors.
– **Examples:** C, C++, Rust, Swift.

2. **Interpreted Languages:**
– **Definition:** Interpreted languages are executed line by line or statement by statement, without an intermediate compilation step.
– **Process:** An interpreter reads the source code and executes it directly, translating each statement into machine code or into intermediate code which is then executed.
– **Advantages:**
– Easier debugging since errors are reported as they occur during execution.
– More flexibility at runtime, as interpreted languages can execute code dynamically.
– **Examples:** Python, Ruby, JavaScript, PHP.

**Key Differences:**

– **Execution:** Compiled languages generate machine code before execution, while interpreted languages translate code during execution.
– **Performance:** Compiled languages generally offer faster performance because the translation into machine code is done beforehand.
– **Debugging:** Interpreted languages often have easier debugging since errors are reported in real-time during execution.
– **Flexibility:** Interpreted languages can be more flexible at runtime, allowing for dynamic execution and modifications.

**Hybrid Approaches:**
Some languages, like Java and C#, use a hybrid approach:
– They are compiled into an intermediate bytecode (Java bytecode or CIL) which is then interpreted or compiled just-in-time (JIT) into machine code during execution.

In practice, the distinction between compiled and interpreted languages is becoming less clear-cut with advancements in technology (e.g., JIT compilation in JavaScript engines).