How interpreters work: an overlooked topic in undergraduate computer science education

  • Authors:

  • Cong-Cong Xing

  • Affiliations:

  • Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

While students seem to have a satisfactory grasp on the concept of compilation, it is not the case for the concept of interpretation. Rather, pervasive confusions between interpreters and compilers exist among students. In this short paper, we (1) identify the common problems that students have with respect to interpreters; (2) clarify how interpreters work using an example; (3) revisit the problems to see how they can be resolved under the clarification; and (4) summarize the contributions of this paper. We hope that this paper can be used as a quick and concise reference in introducing students to interpreters and in dealing with the ensuing issues.