What distinguishes a programming language from a scripting language?

The distinction between programming languages and scripting languages often lies in how they are executed. The statement that programming languages are typically compiled is accurate because many traditional programming languages, such as C or C++, are compiled into machine code before execution. This means the code is translated completely into executable binaries that the computer can understand directly, leading to generally faster performance.

In contrast, scripting languages like Python or JavaScript are usually interpreted, meaning they are executed line-by-line at runtime, which can make them more flexible and easier to use for certain applications, particularly in web development or automation tasks. Since scripting languages are often used for quick development cycles, they can be easily modified without the need for recompiling. This difference in execution method is a central characteristic that separates scripting from traditional programming.

The other options presented do not accurately identify distinct characteristics that differentiate programming and scripting languages, leading to misinterpretations about their functionalities.