python, a scripting language?

[Sean 'Shaleh' Perry]

> 
> Now, if he wants to distinguish between 'languages that compile to native 
> machine code' and those which don't, then python does indeed need an 
> interpreter to be around for execution (even of pre-compiled byte code). But 
> as far as I know java falls in the same category (jvm needed) although there 
> could be native binary java compilers, I simply have no idea. Relying on an 
> interpreter can be a drawback or an asset, that depends on the problem at 
> hand.
> 

the 3.0 series of gcc has a gcj compiler.  It still requires the java class
library and language utilities (ie. garbage collection and the like) so there is
a non trivial runtime involved.