What is the process of translating code line by line during execution called?

The process of translating code line by line during execution is called interpreting. An interpreter reads the source code, translates it into machine code, and executes it immediately, without requiring a separate compilation step. This approach allows for immediate feedback and debugging but can be slower than running pre-compiled code since each line is translated every time it is executed.

In contrast, compiling refers to the process of translating the entire source code into machine code at once, creating an executable file that can then be run; this is different from interpreting, where the code is processed on the fly. Executing, while related to the overall operation of running a program, does not specifically describe the translation of code. Debugging is the process of identifying and fixing errors in the code, which occurs after the code has been interpreted or compiled, rather than describing the translation process itself.