A simple technique for automatic recompilation in modular programming languages
Ronald A. Olsson, Gregory R. Whitehead · Software Practice and Experience · 1989
Abstract This paper presents simple techniques that can be used to automate recompilation and avoid unnecessary recompilation in modular programming languages. The basic technique generates a Makefile that reflects the dependencies among modules. This technique is demonstrated for programs written in SR, although it can easily be adapted to other modular languages. The recompilation problem for SR programs is complicated by the flexible way components can be placed in source files and by how an SR module's specification and implementation can be combined. A small modification to the basic technique reduces the amount of unnecessary compilation. This ‘semi‐smart’ approach is worth the small extra effort. The techniques described in this paper should be considered as an inexpensive, yet reasonably effective, alternative to smart recompilation. These techniques are especially applicable when the language's compiler cannot easily be modified.