Which translation method converts all source code into machine code for later execution?

An interpreter translates source code into machine code line-by-line during runtime, executing each line immediately without generating a standalone executable file. This means that the entire program needs to be interpreted each time it runs, rather than being fully compiled ahead of time.

The operating system serves as a software intermediary that manages hardware and software resources, but it does not convert source code into machine code. Instead, it provides an environment for executing programs, including those that may have been compiled or interpreted.

An assembler converts assembly language, a low-level language closely related to machine code, into actual machine code. While it does facilitate the translation of code, it is limited to assembly language and does not handle higher-level programming languages, making it unsuitable for the broader task of translating all source code.