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Compile vs Assemble - What's the difference?

compile | assemble |

In transitive terms the difference between compile and assemble

is that compile is to put together; to assemble; to make by gathering things from various sources while assemble is to put together.

In computing terms the difference between compile and assemble

is that compile is an act of compiling code while assemble is to translate from assembly language to machine code.

As a noun compile

is an act of compiling code.

compile

English

Verb

(compil)
  • To put together; to assemble; to make by gathering things from various sources.
    • Samuel Johnson compiled one of the most influential dictionaries of the English language.
  • (obsolete) To construct, build.
  • * 1590 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , III.3:
    • Before that Merlin dyde, he did intend / A brasen wall in compas to compyle / About Cairmardin [...].
  • (computing) To use a compiler to process source code and produce executable code.
    • After I compile this program I'll run it and see if it works.
  • (computing) To be successfully processed by a compiler into executable code.
    • There must be an error in my source code because it won't compile .
  • (obsolete) To contain or comprise.
  • * Spenser
    • Which these six books compile .
  • (obsolete) To write; to compose.

    • Derived terms

    * compiler, compilator

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (computing) An act of compiling code.
  • * 1985 , Robert A Stern, An Introduction to Computers and Information Processing
    • ...programming team managers assumed the "improved programs" produced through structured programming would not require as many compiles during development.
  • * 2007 , Scott Meyers, Mike Lee, MAC OS X Leopard: Beyond the Manual
    • Any file with an error or warning on it will be added to this smart group until the next compile .

    Anagrams

    * English ergative verbs ----

    assemble

    English

    Verb

    (assembl)
  • To put together.
    • He assembled the model ship.
  • (ambitransitive) To gather as a group.
    • The parents assembled in the school hall.
  • * Milton
    • Thither he assembled all his train.
  • * Bible, 1 Kings viii. 2
    • All the men of Israel assembled themselves.
  • (computing) to translate from assembly language to machine code