Translator:
* Broader term: "Translator" is a broader term that encompasses any process of converting information from one form to another.
* Focus on language: In the context of linguistics, a translator focuses on converting written text from one language to another.
* Works on complete units: Translators typically work on entire documents or large chunks of text.
Interpreter:
* More specific: "Interpreter" is a more specific term that usually refers to a real-time conversion process.
* Focus on execution: In computer science, an interpreter is a program that executes code line by line, translating it into machine instructions as it goes.
* Works on smaller units: Interpreters typically process code in smaller chunks, such as individual lines or statements.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Translator | Interpreter |
|--------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| Focus | Language translation | Code execution |
| Mode | Batch processing | Real-time execution |
| Units | Documents, large chunks of text | Lines, statements, small chunks of code |
Examples:
* Translator: A person translating a book from Spanish to English.
* Interpreter: A software program that executes Python code line by line.
* Interpreter: A person translating spoken language in real-time during a meeting.
In summary:
* Translator: Converts information from one form to another, typically focusing on language translation.
* Interpreter: Executes code line by line, translating it into machine instructions as it goes, or translates spoken language in real-time.