Compilation
/käm-pə-ˈlā-shən/
noun — "turning readable instructions into something a machine can run."
Compilation is the process of translating source code written in a high-level programming language into a lower-level form that a computer can execute, typically machine code or bytecode. This transformation is performed by a program called a compiler.
In essence, compilation is a conversion step: it takes human-readable instructions and produces a form optimized for execution by hardware or a runtime system.
Continuous Integration
/kənˈtɪn.ju.əs ˌɪn.tɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/
noun — "merging code frequently so conflicts become annoying instead of catastrophic."
Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice where developers frequently merge their code changes into a shared repository. Each merge triggers automated builds and tests, allowing teams to detect integration issues early and ensure software quality throughout the development lifecycle.
Technically, Continuous Integration involves:
Ahead-of-Time Compilation
/ˌeɪ-oʊ-ˈtiː/
n. “Compiling code before it ever reaches the user.”
AOT, short for ahead-of-time compilation, is a compilation strategy where source code is translated into optimized machine code before the program is run. This contrasts with JIT (just-in-time compilation), where code is compiled at runtime as it is needed.