Computing Dictionary
separate compilation definition
programming A feature of most modern programming languages that allows each program
module to be compiled on its own to produce an
object file which the
linker can later combine with other object files and
libraries to produce the final
executable. Separate compilation avoids processing all the source code every time the program is built, thus saving development time. The object files are designed to require minimal processing at
link time. They can also be collected together into
libraries and distributed commercially without giving away source code (though they can be disassembled).
Examples of the output of separate compilation are
C object files (extension ".o") and
Java ".class" files.
(2005-02-19)
