## The compiler framework

For performance reasons, it can be better to generate and compile code at runtime, than to use an interpreter. The Java compiler supports this. However, in an Eclipse/OSGi environment, some additional effort is required to make it all work. The application framework contains a compiler framework in the `org.eclipse.escet.common.app.framework.javacompiler` package. It supports in-memory compilation of in-memory code, with full transparent OSGi support. That is, whether used from inside the Eclipse IDE, or from a stand-alone application, the compiler framework takes care of the details. The framework supports various representations of in-memory code, and can be extended with additional representations.

The compiler framework requires the use of a Java Development Kit (JDK). A Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is not sufficient.