What does it mean to interpret code?

Interpreting code refers to the process of executing the code line-by-line at runtime, converting it into machine instructions that the computer can understand and execute immediately. An interpreter processes each statement in the code, translating it as the program runs, rather than compiling the entire code into a separate executable before execution. This allows for immediate feedback and dynamic execution but often results in slower performance compared to compiled code.

Other options, while related to programming, focus on different aspects. Writing code from scratch involves creating original code, which does not involve interpretation. Documenting the code concerns explaining the purpose and function of the code through comments, which aids in readability but does not pertain to the execution process itself. Debugging involves finding and fixing errors in code, which is a separate activity that may occur before or after code is interpreted. Thus, the focus on the active, real-time conversion of code into executable instructions makes the correct answer particularly relevant in the context of programming languages that utilize interpreters.