Dynamic Compilation
Dynamic compilation is a runtime technique where source code or intermediate code is compiled into machine code during program execution, rather than ahead of time. It enables optimizations based on actual runtime behavior, such as profiling data, to improve performance. This approach is commonly used in just-in-time (JIT) compilers for languages like Java and JavaScript.
Developers should learn dynamic compilation when working with interpreted or bytecode-based languages to understand performance tuning and optimization strategies. It is essential for implementing high-performance virtual machines, runtime environments, and applications requiring adaptive optimization, such as in game engines or data-intensive systems. Use cases include JIT compilation in the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and modern JavaScript engines like V8.