Program compiler and linker, and method

A non-transitory, computer readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions adapted to cause a computer system to perform actions, comprising:

• obtaining at a compiler a source code element from source code;
• obtaining compiler options for compilation of the source code element;
• applying a hash function to data representing the source code element and compiler options, to generate a first hash value specific to the combination of the source code element and compiler options;
• searching a repository for the first hash value;
• if the first hash value is not found in the repository,
• generating an object code fragment from the source code element using the compiler options;
• and
• storing the generated object code fragment and first hash value in association with each other in the repository;
• whereas
• if the first hash value is found in the repository,
• not generating an object code fragment from the source code element;
• generating a list identifying one or more object code fragments in the repository that when suitably combined form object code for the source code;
• receiving at a linker data identifying one or more object code fragments, the object code fragments each corresponding to a source code element compiled according to respective compiler options;
• accessing the or each identified object code fragment from a repository of object code fragments;
• and
• commencing a memory layout mapping of object code fragments to addresses.

A compiler and linker, comprising

• an obtaining processor arranged to obtain a source code element from source code;
• an obtaining processor arranged to obtain compiler options for compilation of the source code element;
• a hashing processor arranged to apply a hash function to data representing the source code element and compiler options, thereby generating a first hash value specific to the combination of the source code element and compiler options;
• a memory arranged to store a repository;
• a search processor arranged to search the repository for the first hash value;
• and if the first hash value is not found in the repository,
• a generating processor is arranged to generate an object code fragment from source code element using the compiler options, and
• the generating processor is arranged to store the generated object code fragment and first hash value in association with each other in the repository;
• but if the first hash value is found in the repository,
• the generating processor is arranged to not generate an object code fragment from source code element;
• a list processor arranged to generate a list identifying one or more object code fragments in the repository that when suitably combined form object code for the source code;
• an obtaining processor arranged to obtain the list identifying one or more object code fragments, the object code fragments each corresponding to a source code element compiled according to respective compiler options;
• an accessing processor arranged to access the or each identified object code fragment from a repository of object code fragments;
• and
• a layout processor arranged to perform memory layout mapping of object code fragments to addresses.