What two methods are used to transform high-level programming language into machine language?

The correct answer identifies the two primary methods used to convert high-level programming languages into machine language: compilation and interpretation.

Compilation involves translating the entire source code of a program written in a high-level language into machine code before the program is run. This results in an executable file, which can then be run on the target system. The compilation process optimizes the code for performance and checks for syntax errors during the entire code examination. This method is typically used by languages like C and C++.

Interpretation, on the other hand, translates high-level code into machine language line by line during execution. This means that the program is executed directly without producing a separate executable file. Languages like Python and JavaScript often use this method, allowing for immediate execution and easier debugging because developers can test and modify code in real time.

Both methods serve the purpose of transforming high-level instructions into a form that the computer's processor can understand and execute, and they represent fundamental approaches to executing programs in various programming environments.