Western Governors University (WGU) ITSW 2113 D278 Scripting and Programming Foundations Practice Exam

A compiled language is characterized by the fact that it is translated into machine code before execution. This translation process occurs through a compiler, which converts the high-level source code written by the programmer into low-level machine code that the computer's processor can execute directly. This compilation happens before the program runs, which often leads to improved performance compared to interpreted languages, where code is translated on-the-fly at runtime.

The process of compiling typically involves several stages, including lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, optimization, and code generation. Once compiled, the resulting machine code file can be executed multiple times without the need for recompilation, barring any changes to the source code.

This characteristic fundamentally distinguishes compiled languages from other types, such as interpreted languages, which execute code line by line as the program runs, leading to a different development and execution model, often suitable for different use cases or environments.