scalacompiler

scalac is the Scala compiler, a core component of the Scala programming language toolchain. It translates Scala source code into Java bytecode that runs on the Java Virtual Machine, producing class files that can be executed by the JVM and interoperate with Java libraries. scalac is distributed with the Scala release and is typically invoked from the command line or through build tools such as sbt, Maven, or Gradle.

The compiler performs standard stages common to modern language compilers: parsing the source, performing semantic analysis and type checking, resolving symbols and implicits, applying macro expansion and other metaprogramming features when enabled, and generating JVM bytecode. It supports extensive language features from Scala’s functional and object-oriented paradigms, including higher-kinded types, implicits, and advanced type system constructs, as well as a variety of compiler plugins for extensions and diagnostics.

Typical usage involves invoking scalac with a set of options to control the compilation process. Common options include -d to specify the output directory, -classpath (or -cp) to set the classpath, -sourcepath for source lookup, and -target to choose a JVM version. Diagnostic options such as -deprecation, -feature, -unchecked, and -Xlint help reveal language or API usage issues. Build tools usually pass these options automatically to scalac as part of the project configuration.

scalac operates within the broader Scala ecosystem. While it remains the traditional compiler for Scala code, modern workflows often rely on build tools and incremental compilers (such as Zinc) to speed up development. It is closely tied to the Scala standard library and the JVM platform, and updates to the compiler typically align with new language features and performance improvements.