Does Python compile or interpret code, and how does it run?

Python is an interpreted language. When you run a Python script, the interpreter first compiles the source code into bytecode, which is a platform‑independent, low‑level representation. This bytecode is then executed by the Python virtual machine (PVM). The compilation step is transparent to the developer; it happens automatically at runtime. Because the bytecode is executed by the interpreter, Python code can be run on any system that has a compatible interpreter installed, making it highly portable. In contrast to compiled languages like C++, which produce machine code before execution, Python’s model allows for rapid development and dynamic features such as introspection and runtime modification of objects.