An incremental compilation algorithm for the Java programming language

The compiler transforms source code into object code. The incremental compiler is smarter than the batch compiler. When the programmer changes some source code files in the project. It does not need to recompile all source code files in the project and only needs to recompile changed source code files and all source code files directly and indirectly dependent on the changed source code files. This paper proposes an incremental compilation algorithm for the Java programming language. It overcomes the shortcomings of the make tool. It does not need to construct and maintain the makefile manually. The incremental compilation algorithm automatically collects and maintains the dependency rules. It also analyzes the effect of change types and eliminates unnecessarily recompilation process.