html - When does a file need to be compiled exactly? -

this dumb question, how know when needs go through "build" or compiled? understanding of when code, writing source files, when then, in order understood computer, need compiled executable files. then, how come can write index.html , pull browser work? when did compiling happen in situation? how compare compiling happens when use build tools npm?

compiling means make list of machine codes can stored , executed machine. browsers not parse , execute language without building list. (although mentioned in comments faster execution, code may compiled on fly , sent cpu machine codes.)