Postcompilation

Postcompilation refers to the set of activities that take place after the compiler has produced an intermediate representation or machine code. In practice, it encompasses steps that transform, optimize, verify, package, and deploy the resulting binaries. The term is used across programming languages and build systems to distinguish post-translation work from the initial compilation of source code.

Key activities in postcompilation include linking and relocation, where object files are combined into an executable or shared library and external symbols are resolved. In some toolchains this occurs during or after compilation. Post-link optimization may apply whole-program analysis across modules to improve performance via techniques such as link-time optimization (LTO). Instrumentation passes can be inserted to enable debugging, profiling, sanitizers, or security checks. Debug information and symbol tables may be generated or stripped, affecting troubleshooting and binary size. Packaging and deployment steps, such as creating installers, container images, or signing binaries, are also part of postcompilation processes. In managed runtimes such as Java or .NET, postcompilation can include bytecode verification, ahead-of-time compilation, or runtime readiness checks, though these may blur with runtime or pre-runtime phases.

Postcompilation quality depends on reproducibility, determinism of builds, and security. Misconfigurations can cause performance regressions or hidden dependencies. Some ecosystems emphasize postcompilation steps to reduce binary size or improve startup time, while others focus on runtime instrumentation and telemetry. Overall, postcompilation is a broad category covering the steps that finalize a build and prepare software for distribution and execution.