What are the differences between transpilers and compilers?

What are the differences between transpilers and compilers?

Transpilers and compilers both convert code, but they serve different purposes. A compiler translates high-level code into machine code, while a transpiler converts code from one high-level language to another.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An example of a compiler is GCC, which compiles C/C++ code into machine code. An example of a transpiler is Babel, which converts modern JavaScript into a version compatible with older browsers.

Are there any specific use cases for using a transpiler?

Yes, transpilers are often used in web development to ensure that code written in newer languages or versions can run in environments that only support older versions.

Which one is more commonly used in software development?

Compilers are more commonly used for languages that need to be executed directly by the machine, while transpilers are popular in web development for compatibility.