From David Bolton,
Your Guide to C / C++ / C#.
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Definition: In computing, an interpreter is a computer program that reads the source code of another computer program and executes that program.

Because it is interpreted line by line, it is a much slower way of running a program than one that has been compiled but is easier for learners because the program can bestopped, modified and rerun without time-consuming compiles.

Glossary:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Examples: The compiled program took ten minutes to run to completion. The interpreted program took an hour.