The etymology of compilation leads us to the Latin word compilatio. This is a word that, in turn, derives from the Latin verb “compilare”, which can be translated as “put together”.
The term is used to name the process and the result of compiling.
This verb (compile), for its part, refers to bringing together different fragments or elements of something in the same unit. In the field of computing, on the other hand, compiling consists of transforming a program written in a language into another program created in machine language.
In the field of music, a compilation is called a disc that brings together songs that share certain characteristics. Also known as a compilation, this type of album can include the greatest hits of an artist or previously recorded songs that were left out of other record productions. There are also compilations made up of songs by different singers or groups.
A compilation, on the other hand, can be a book, a publication or an artistic work that collects texts or ideas that had previously been presented separately. For example: “The anthropologist will visit the municipal cultural center to talk about his compilation of aboriginal legends”, “The show consists of a compilation of choreographies”, “The compilation of stories will be published next month”.
Thus, for example, among the most important historical documents that carry the term in question in their title, we can highlight, for example, the “Justinian Compilation”, also called the “Justinian Code”. It dates from the 6th century and has two versions: the first, which appeared “published” in 529, and the second, which was published in 534.
In addition to everything indicated, it must be determined that it is a compilation or compilation of imperial constitutions that was promulgated by the emperor that gives it its name, Justinian. It was carried out by a group of men he trusted, at the head of which Triboniano was found.
Thanks to her, what is known as Justinian law was established, which was the most important in the Roman world for a long time. It should not be overlooked that among all the documents that comes to collect a really relevant imperial constitution such as the so-called “Constitutio Antoniana”, made by the Emperor Caracalla. That one, which dates from the year 212, collected and allowed a long list of reforms, especially in the civil and fiscal areas.
Among the most significant reforms there was one that stood out above all and that is still being studied and analyzed today. We are referring to the granting of Roman citizenship to all the free residents who were in the empire.
For computing, compilation is the process that leads to the translation of software. This compilation assumes that a program written in a certain programming language is converted into a program developed in a different language, which is usually a machine language (a code that can be interpreted directly by a microprocessor). The compilation is developed in two main phases: first the source program is analyzed and then the object program is synthesized.