FC0-U71 Applications and Software Practice Question
A developer writes code in Python and runs it without compiling. This is an example of which type of language?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is assuming Python is compiled because it produces .pyc files — but the defining characteristic for the exam is that the developer runs the code without a separate compilation step, which makes it a scripting language.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Scripting language
A scripting language is executed by an interpreter at runtime rather than being compiled into machine code ahead of time. Python is a classic example: the developer writes code and runs it directly, with the Python interpreter executing it line by line (or via bytecode compilation internally). This contrasts with compiled languages like C or Go, which require a build step.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Compiled language
Why it's wrong here
Python executes directly through an interpreter without a separate compilation step, so classifying it as compiled contradicts the scenario. It is tempting because compiled languages also produce runnable programs; it would be correct for languages such as C or Go, where source is translated to machine code before execution.
- ✓
Scripting language
Why this is correct
Python code here executes directly by an interpreter at runtime, with no separate compilation step producing machine code. That interpreted, run-as-written execution model is precisely what defines a scripting language, satisfying the stem's stated constraint.
- ✗
Markup language
Why it's wrong here
Markup languages such as HTML or XML describe document structure and presentation; they contain no executable logic, so Python cannot be one. It is tempting because both are text-based languages; it would be correct when the code defines tags and formatting rather than performing computation or control flow.
- ✗
Query language
Why it's wrong here
Query languages such as SQL retrieve or manipulate data held in databases; they do not implement general-purpose program logic, so Python is not one. It is tempting because both are interpreted; it would be correct when the code issues statements against a data store rather than building applications.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every FC0-U71 question from scratch — 988 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are examples of interpreted programming languages?
easy- A.C++
- B.Assembly
- ✓ C.Python
- D.Java
- ✓ E.JavaScript
Why C: Python (C) is an interpreted language because its source code is executed line-by-line by the CPython interpreter (or another implementation) at runtime, without a separate compilation step producing native machine code. JavaScript (E) is likewise interpreted, typically executed by a JavaScript engine such as V8 or SpiderMonkey that parses and runs the source (often via JIT compilation) rather than requiring the developer to precompile it to machine code. C++ (A) is a compiled language, normally translated by a compiler such as g++ or clang++ into native machine code before execution. Assembly (B) is not interpreted; it is assembled by an assembler (e.g., NASM, GAS) into machine code. Java (D) is compiled to bytecode by javac and then executed on the JVM, so it is not classified as an interpreted language in this context.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.