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Compile

kuhm-PYL /kəmˈpaɪl/

verbB2

technical

To translate (a program) from a high-level programming language into a lower-level language (like machine code) that a computer can directly understand and execute.

Compilation is a distinct step in the software development process, occurring before execution. It typically involves checking for syntax errors and optimizing the code.

The story behind the word. The word 'compile' comes from the Latin 'compilare,' meaning 'to plunder, collect, heap together.' It originally referred to collecting information or writings from various sources into a single volume. In the context of computing, it was adopted to describe the process of collecting and translating human-readable programming instructions into a single, executable machine-readable form, effectively 'heaping together' all the necessary instructions for the computer.

Word relationships

translate: A general term for converting from one language to another; 'compile' is specific to programming languages for machine execution.
build: Often used interchangeably in software development, but 'build' can encompass more steps than just compilation, like linking and packaging.

Commonly confused with

Interpret: An interpreter translates and executes code line by line at runtime, whereas a compiler translates the entire program into machine code before execution.

Word family

compiler (noun): A program that translates source code into machine code.
compilation (noun): The process of compiling.

Collocations

compile code
compile a program
compile errors
successfully compile

Example sentences

"Before running the C++ program, you must compile the source code into an executable file." Describing the software build process.
"The compiler reported several errors, preventing the code from compiling successfully." Referring to errors during translation.
"Compiled programs generally run faster than interpreted ones because they are translated once and then executed directly." Explaining the benefits of compilation.

Memory hook

Think of a 'PILE' of human-readable code being 'COM'bined and translated into machine language. Pile of Code Combined

When not to use

Don't use 'compile' to mean simply 'run' or 'execute' a program. Compilation is a translation step, not the act of running the program itself.

Fun facts

The first compiler was written by Grace Hopper in 1952 for the A-0 System.
Some programming languages, like Python, are primarily 'interpreted' rather than 'compiled,' meaning they are translated line-by-line during execution.

Related words

Code, Execute

Explore more words

error, syntax, codify, translate, synthesize, optimize