SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDITIONALLY COMPILING A SOFTWARE COMPILATION UNIT

A system and method for conditionally recompiling a compilation unit having a plurality of source code modules operates by selecting one of the source code modules, and determining whether it is necessary to generate a new condensed representation of the selected source code module. A new condensed representation of the selected source code module is generated if such generation is determined as being necessary. Changes between the new condensed representation of the selected source code module and an old condensed representation of the selected source code module are identified. Each of these changes is classified as either a compatible change or an incompatible change. An incompatible change is a change that requires recompilation of the compilation unit. A compatible change is a change that does not require recompilation of the compilation unit. The compilation unit is recompiled if any of the changes is classified as being an incompatible change.