Parser

A Parser is part of a Component that implements a Language which have programs written in plaintext format. The plaintext must first be parsed into symbols that can be manipulated by the Component.

A Component with a Parser implements at least two different Languages, the control Language and the source Language. The control Language is used to setup the Parser and feed it the plaintext stream. The source Language is the Language that is parsed by the Component.

A generic Parser Component.

Interpreter

An Interpreter is a Component that executes programs written in the source Language. What makes it different from an ordinary Component, which also executes programs, is that an Interpreter must parse the program before execution. An Interpreter is controlled via a control Language.

A PHP interpreter.

Compiler

A Compiler is a Component that translates programs written in the source Language to an identical program in a target Language. It does not execute the program, as Components usually do. Compilers are controlled via a control Language.

GCC, a C compiler.

Related Topics

Component
Examples
Language