What is the difference between a transpiler and a compiler?

What is the difference between a transpiler and a compiler?

A transpiler (short for "transformation" or "translator" + "compiler") and a compiler are both tools used to translate code from one language to another, but there are some key differences between the two:

Input and output languages: A compiler takes source code written in one language and translates it into executable code in another language, usually with the goal of running the code on a specific platform or architecture. A transpiler, on the other hand, takes source code written in one language and translates it into equivalent code in another language, with the goal of enabling developers to write code in a language that is more familiar or better suited to a particular task.

Level of abstraction: Compilers usually operate at a lower level of abstraction than transpilers. They often translate code written in a high-level programming language into machine code that can be executed directly by a computer. Transpilers, on the other hand, typically translate code between similar languages that operate at a similar level of abstraction, such as TypeScript to JavaScript.

Output format: The output of a compiler is usually machine code, which can be directly executed by a computer. The output of a transpiler, on the other hand, is usually source code in another language. The resulting code must then be run through a compiler or interpreter to produce executable code.

Performance: Because compilers generate machine code, the resulting program can often be faster and more efficient than a program produced by a transpiler. However, this performance advantage comes at the cost of greater complexity and difficulty in the development process.

In summary, compilers and transpilers are both tools for translating code between languages, but they have different goals, operate at different levels of abstraction, and produce different output formats. Compilers are used to produce executable code for a specific platform, while transpilers are used to translate code between similar languages for easier development or better interoperability.