What is a disadvantage of compiled languages compared to interpreted languages?

Compiled languages have the characteristic of being transformed into machine code, which the computer's processor can execute directly. One of the disadvantages of this compilation process is that the resulting machine code often needs to be specific to the operating system and hardware architecture it was compiled on. This means that a program compiled on one system may not run on another without recompilation, leading to less flexibility across different environments.

In contrast, interpreted languages execute instructions directly, allowing the same code to run across various systems without the need for recompilation. This portability is a significant advantage of interpreted languages, making option C the correct answer in distinguishing a disadvantage of compiled languages.

The other choices focus on execution speed, memory efficiency, and syntax complexity, which are not inherently disadvantages of compiled languages in the same context as the issue of operating system specificity. In many cases, compiled languages often require less runtime overhead, leading to faster execution, and can be designed to manage memory efficiently. While syntax complexity varies among languages, it does not directly correlate with whether a language is compiled or interpreted.