What is the main difference between an editor and a compiler in programming?

The primary distinction between an editor and a compiler lies in their respective functions in the programming process. An editor is a tool that enables programmers to write and modify source code. It provides features such as syntax highlighting, code folding, and sometimes even debugging tools to enhance the coding experience.

In contrast, a compiler is a specialized software program that translates the source code written in a high-level programming language into machine code or another lower-level language that a computer can execute. The primary role of the compiler is to process the written code and generate an executable file that the computer can run.

This distinction is crucial in understanding the programming workflow. While the editor is focused on the creation and modification of code, the compiler's role is to transform that code into a format that can be executed by the computer, bridging the gap between human-readable code and machine-executable instructions.