What is the Difference Between Compile Time and Runtime?

The main difference between compile time and runtime lies in the stages of a program's life cycle when they occur.

• Compile time is the period when the programming code (such as C#, Java, C, Python) is converted to machine code (i.e., binary code). During this stage, the source code is translated into a byte code, and the compiler checks for syntax and semantic errors. Compile-time errors are thrown when there is an issue with the program's syntax or semantics.
• Runtime is the period of time when a program is running and generally occurs after compile time. During runtime, the executable code is started, and the program performs the functions it was designed to do. Runtime errors occur during the execution of the program and are typically related to issues such as division by zero, dereferencing a null pointer, or running out of memory.

In summary, compile time is when the source code is translated into machine code and checked for errors, while runtime is when the compiled program is executed and may encounter errors related to its execution.

Comparative Table: Compile Time vs Runtime

The main difference between compile time and runtime lies in the stage of the software development process each occurs. Here is a comparison between the two:

In summary, compile time is the phase when the source code is translated into executable code, during which syntax and semantic errors are detected. Runtime, on the other hand, is the phase when the executable code is executed, and runtime errors can occur during this stage.