Is Python Compiled or Interpreted?

Python is often referred to as an interpreted language, but the reality is more nuanced. Python source code is first compiled into bytecode by the Python interpreter. This bytecode is not machine code but rather a lower-level representation that is more efficient to execute than the original source code.

During runtime, the bytecode is executed by the Python interpreter. This interpretation step is what gives Python its dynamic and flexible nature. The Python interpreter handles the details of memory management, data types, and other low-level operations, allowing developers to focus on writing high-level code.

So, Python can be considered a compiled language in the sense that it compiles source code into bytecode, and it is an interpreted language in the sense that the bytecode is executed by the interpreter. This combination of compilation and interpretation gives Python its characteristic balance of convenience and flexibility.

Conclusion

Python is both compiled and interpreted. It compiles source code into bytecode, a lower-level representation, and then interprets this bytecode during runtime. This combination of compilation and interpretation provides the language with its dynamic and flexible characteristics.