compile

1. Translate a program from the source code written by the developer to a form executable by the computer (machine code). This translation is done by a system program called a compiler. Results of the translation are called object code or a compilation.

See also debug, execute, interpret, link, source module.

2. The 4GL Source Compiler can compile 4GL source code into either p-code or C language code. For the p-code, the Source Compiler translates the 4GL code into an intermediate form (p-code) that must be executed by the P-code Runner. For C code, the Source Compiler first calls a preprocessor to translate 4GL code into INFORMIX-ESQL/C code. It then translates the ESQL/C into object code, executable directly from a command line.

See also command line, compiler directive, p-code, preprocessor.