# compiled language

> a programming language implemented with a compiler that translates source code into a binary executable form

**Wikidata**: [Q651794](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q651794)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiled_language)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/compiled-language

## Summary
A compiled language is a programming language that uses a compiler to translate source code directly into binary executable form before execution. Unlike interpreted languages, which translate code line-by-line at runtime, compiled languages convert the entire program into machine code beforehand, often resulting in faster execution and optimized performance.

## Key Facts
- **Definition**: A programming language implemented with a compiler that translates source code into binary executable form.
- **Opposite Concept**: Interpreted languages, which execute code line-by-line without prior compilation.
- **Parent Class**: Belongs to the broader category of programming languages.
- **Aliases**: Also known as "compiled programming language," "lenguaje compilado," or "コンパイラ言語" in different languages.
- **Wikidata Presence**: Listed with 22 sitelinks, including Wikipedia entries in multiple languages (e.g., English, Spanish, Arabic).
- **Related Languages**: Examples include Carbon (2020), Nim (2008), Forth (1970), D (2001), and Zig (2015), all of which are compiled or can be compiled.
- **Characteristic**: Defined by the process of compilation, where source code is transformed into machine-readable binary.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between a compiled language and an interpreted language?
A: A compiled language translates the entire source code into machine code before execution, while an interpreted language translates and executes code line-by-line at runtime. Compiled languages often run faster but require a separate compilation step.

### Q: What are some examples of compiled languages?
A: Examples include Carbon (2020), Nim (2008), Forth (1970), D (2001), Zig (2015), and V (2019). These languages use compilers to generate executable binaries.

### Q: Why are compiled languages often faster than interpreted languages?
A: Compiled languages convert source code into optimized machine code before execution, reducing runtime overhead. Interpreted languages, in contrast, translate code on-the-fly, which can slow performance.

### Q: Can a language be both compiled and interpreted?
A: Yes, some languages support both compilation and interpretation (e.g., Java, which compiles to bytecode and is then interpreted by the JVM). However, a "compiled language" specifically refers to those primarily implemented via compilation.

### Q: What is the main advantage of using a compiled language?
A: The primary advantage is performance. Compiled languages produce optimized machine code tailored to the hardware, leading to faster execution and lower resource usage during runtime.

## Why It Matters
Compiled languages play a critical role in software development by enabling high-performance execution, which is essential for system-level programming, game development, and computationally intensive applications. By translating source code into machine code beforehand, compilers can apply optimizations that improve speed, memory usage, and efficiency. This makes compiled languages ideal for scenarios where performance is paramount, such as operating systems, embedded systems, and large-scale applications. Additionally, compiled binaries are self-contained, reducing dependencies and simplifying distribution. The trade-off—requiring a compilation step—is outweighed by the benefits in many use cases, making compiled languages a cornerstone of modern computing.

## Notable For
- **Performance**: Compiled languages typically execute faster than interpreted languages due to pre-execution optimization.
- **Direct Machine Code**: Produces binary executables that run natively on hardware without requiring an interpreter.
- **Widespread Use**: Foundational for system programming, including languages like C, C++, and Rust.
- **Optimization**: Compilers can perform advanced optimizations (e.g., inlining, loop unrolling) to enhance efficiency.
- **Portability Challenges**: Compiled binaries are often platform-specific, requiring recompilation for different architectures.

## Body
### Definition and Core Concept
A compiled language is a type of programming language where the source code is translated into machine code (binary) by a compiler before execution. This process, called compilation, converts human-readable code into instructions that a computer's processor can execute directly. Unlike interpreted languages, which rely on an interpreter to translate code at runtime, compiled languages perform this translation upfront, resulting in a standalone executable file.

### Compilation Process
1. **Source Code**: The programmer writes code in a high-level language (e.g., C, Rust).
2. **Compilation**: The compiler translates the source code into machine code, often in multiple phases (lexing, parsing, optimization, code generation).
3. **Linking**: The compiler may combine multiple object files and libraries into a single executable.
4. **Execution**: The resulting binary runs directly on the hardware without further translation.

### Advantages of Compiled Languages
- **Speed**: Pre-compiled machine code executes faster than interpreted code.
- **Optimization**: Compilers can apply hardware-specific optimizations (e.g., CPU instruction sets).
- **Self-Contained Executables**: Binaries can run independently without requiring the original source code or interpreter.
- **Security**: Compiled code is harder to reverse-engineer than interpreted scripts.

### Disadvantages
- **Platform Dependency**: Compiled binaries are often specific to an operating system or CPU architecture (e.g., a Windows executable won’t run on Linux without emulation).
- **Compilation Time**: Large projects may take significant time to compile, slowing development.
- **Less Flexibility**: Changes require recompilation, unlike interpreted languages where changes take effect immediately.

### Examples of Compiled Languages
- **Carbon**: Experimental language by Google (2020), designed as a successor to C++.
- **Nim**: Multi-paradigm language (2008) with a focus on efficiency and elegance.
- **Forth**: Stack-based language (1970) known for simplicity and low-level control.
- **D**: Systems programming language (2001) combining features of C++ and Java.
- **Zig**: Modern language (2015) emphasizing simplicity and explicit memory management.
- **V**: General-purpose language (2019) inspired by Go, Rust, and Swift.

### Compiled vs. Interpreted Languages
| Feature               | Compiled Languages          | Interpreted Languages       |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
| **Translation Time**  | Before execution (compile) | During execution (runtime) |
| **Performance**       | Faster execution            | Slower execution            |
| **Portability**       | Platform-specific binaries | Cross-platform scripts      |
| **Development Speed** | Slower (compile step)      | Faster (no compile step)    |
| **Examples**          | C, Rust, Go                 | Python, JavaScript, Ruby    |

### Use Cases
Compiled languages are preferred for:
- **System Software**: Operating systems (e.g., Linux kernel in C), device drivers.
- **Game Development**: High-performance engines (e.g., Unreal Engine in C++).
- **Embedded Systems**: Microcontroller programming (e.g., Arduino in C/C++).
- **High-Performance Computing**: Scientific simulations, financial modeling.

### Historical Context
The concept of compilation dates back to the early days of computing, with languages like Fortran (1957) being among the first to use compilers. The distinction between compiled and interpreted languages became more pronounced with the rise of scripting languages (e.g., Perl, Python) in the 1990s, which prioritized developer productivity over runtime speed.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "compiled language",
  "description": "A programming language implemented with a compiler that translates source code into a binary executable form.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiled_language",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2737596",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiled_language"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9143"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)