ocamlc

ocamlc is the bytecode compiler for the Objective Caml programming language. It translates Objective Caml source code into intermediate bytecode instructions, which can then be executed by the OCaml bytecode virtual machine. This compilation process allows for faster development cycles as it is typically quicker than native code compilation. The generated bytecode is platform-independent, meaning that the same bytecode file can run on any system with a compatible OCaml runtime environment installed.

The ocamlc compiler provides a way to produce executable programs without relying on a specific hardware architecture. This is in contrast to the native code compiler, ocamlopt, which generates machine code tailored for the target processor. While bytecode execution may be slower than native code, it offers advantages in terms of portability and reduced compilation times. ocamlc is often used for scripting, rapid prototyping, and situations where cross-platform compatibility is a primary concern. It is a fundamental part of the OCaml ecosystem, enabling developers to write and run OCaml programs efficiently. The compiler accepts standard OCaml source files and produces a .cmo (compiled object) or .cma (compiled archive) file containing the bytecode.