Core programming fundamentals · Lesson 1 of 60 · Concept lesson · Optional

Programming fundamentals

Programming means writing step-by-step instructions, called source code, for a computer.

A compiler translates the whole program first, while an interpreter reads and runs it line by line.

A runtime is the environment that runs your program, such as Node.js or the Python interpreter.

Picture it

source code
  |-> compiler
  |     -> machine code
  |        -> runs
  |-> interpreter
        -> runs, line by line

Two routes from source code to a running program. A compiler translates everything into machine code first. An interpreter reads and runs it line by line. Either way, a runtime does the running.

Code example

console.log("Hello!");

Output: Hello!

One line of source code. Node.js or your browser is the runtime that runs it.

print("Hello!")

Output: Hello!

One line of source code. The Python interpreter is the runtime that runs it.

Check yourself

Pick an answer for each question. You can retry as many times as you like.

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Core programming fundamentals · Lesson 1 of 60 · Concept lesson · Optional

Programming fundamentals

Programming means writing step-by-step instructions, called source code, for a computer.

A compiler translates the whole program first, while an interpreter reads and runs it line by line.

A runtime is the environment that runs your program, such as Node.js or the Python interpreter.

Picture it

source code
  |-> compiler
  |     -> machine code
  |        -> runs
  |-> interpreter
        -> runs, line by line

Two routes from source code to a running program. A compiler translates everything into machine code first. An interpreter reads and runs it line by line. Either way, a runtime does the running.

Code example

console.log("Hello!");

Output: Hello!

One line of source code. Node.js or your browser is the runtime that runs it.

print("Hello!")

Output: Hello!

One line of source code. The Python interpreter is the runtime that runs it.

Check yourself

Pick an answer for each question. You can retry as many times as you like.

Loading the questions…