C# Compiler in 2 Minutes

How C# compilation works, easy to understand

Before we continue; This is a 4 minutes read and I would highly encourage everyone to read the whole article, but for TLDR; Head over to The Compilation Process.

So, C# compiler is the bridge that transforms your high-level C# code into a format that your computer understands. But how does this transformation occur? Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Basics

• What is a Compiler?
  A compiler is like a translator. Imagine you’re speaking English, but your friend only understands French. You’d need a translator to convey your message. Similarly, a compiler translates high-level programming languages into machine code.
• Why C# Needs a Compiler:
  C# is a high-level language, meaning it’s closer to human language than machine language. For your computer to execute C# code, it needs to be in a format it comprehends, and that’s where our compiler steps in.

The Compilation Process

1. Writing the Code:
   As a developer, you start by writing your C# code. This is the high-level language that you and other developers can easily understand.
2. Compilation to IL:
   Once you’re ready to build or compile your project, the C# compiler comes into play. It takes your high-level C# code and translates it into Intermediate Language (IL). IL is a lower-level, platform-agnostic representation of your code. Think of it as a “universal language” that can be understood by any .NET-compatible platform.
3. Storing the IL:
   This IL code is then stored in a file, typically with a .dll or .exe extension, depending on whether you’re building a library or an executable application. This file is saved on your disk and is ready to be executed or used by other programs.
4. Execution Time — JIT Compilation:
   When you decide to run your application, the IL isn’t directly executed by your machine’s processor. Instead, another crucial player enters the scene: the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler. The JIT compiler takes the IL code and translates it into machine code, a language that your computer’s processor understands.
5. Why JIT?
   The beauty of JIT compilation is its “on-the-fly” nature…