What type of programming language is executed line by line and does not require prior compilation?

Interpreted code is a type of programming language that is executed line by line, meaning that each instruction is read and executed sequentially at runtime without the need for a prior compilation step. This allows for immediate execution of code, making it particularly useful for scripting and rapid development environments where feedback is needed quickly.

Languages such as Python, JavaScript, and Ruby are examples of interpreted languages. They provide more flexibility and ease of use for developers since they don't require the extra step of compiling code into machine language before running it. This approach can also facilitate debugging and testing, as changes to the code can be made and tested almost instantaneously.

In contrast, compiled code requires a complete compilation process before execution, resulting in a standalone executable file. Machine code is the low-level code that a computer's processor understands, typically generated by a compiler from higher-level source code. Assembly language is a low-level programming language that is specific to a computer architecture but still requires a form of translation or assembly to machine code.