In the field of computer software, the term software build refers either to the process of converting source code files into executable code or the result of doing so. Jump to: navigation, search A screenshot of computer software in action. ... Source code (commonly just source or code) is any series of statements written in some human-readable computer programming language. ... An executable or executable file, in computer science, is a file whose contents are meant to be interpreted as a program by a computer. ...

While for simple programs the process consists of a single file being compiled, for complex software the source code may consist of many files and may be combined in different ways to produce many different versions. As an example, the source code for current versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system is believed to consist of millions of lines of source code in thousands of files; these files are built to produce a number of different versions including the enterprise, home and small business versions. A compiler is a computer program that translates a computer program written in one computer language (called the source language) into an equivalent program written in another computer language (called the output or the target language). ... Jump to: navigation, search Microsoft Windows is a range of operating environments and operating systems for personal computers and servers. ...

The process of building a computer program is usually managed by a 'build utility', a program that coordinates and controls other programs. A simple example of such a program is make. The build utility needs to compile and link the various files, in the correct order. If the source code in a particular file has not changed then it may not need to be recompiled (may not rather than need not because it may itself depend on other files that have changed). Sophisticated build utilities and linkers attempt to refrain from recompiling code that does not need it, to shorten the time required to complete the build. Modern build utilities may be partially integrated into revision control programs like CVS. More complex process may involve other programs producing code or data for the build process. // A computer program or software program (usually abbreviated to a program) is a step-by-step list of instructions written for a particular computer architecture in a particular computer programming language. ... Jump to: navigation, search make is a utility that automates the process of converting files from one form to another, doing dependency tracking and invoking external programs to do additional work as needed. ... COMPILE COMPILE was a Japanese Video Games company that produced various memorable games for various systems. ... In computer science, a linker or link editor is a program that takes one or more objects generated by compilers and assembles them into a single executable program. ... Revision control is the management of multiple revisions of the same unit of information. ... The term CVS can stand for: Antisubmarine aircraft carriers (CVS), United States Navys hull classification symbol. ...