JIT (Just-In-Time) compilation is a powerful optimization technique used in programming languages to improve performance. It's a compilation stage that happens *during* program execution, rather than at compile time. This is extremely beneficial for dynamic languages like Java, JavaScript, and C#.
Instead of compiling the entire program upfront, the JIT compiler analyzes the code while it's running and translates frequently used code sections into native machine code – faster, more efficient code. It's an optimization that dynamically adapts to the specific needs of the program.
The JIT compiler works by breaking down the code into smaller, more manageable chunks. While a section of code is executing, the JIT compiler can perform optimizations without a full compilation. This reduces the overhead during execution.
JIT compilation often involves techniques like: Just-In-Time Compilation (JIT), ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation, or a hybrid approach.
The specific implementation and optimization strategies vary depending on the language and environment.
Understanding JIT compilation is crucial for developers working with high-performance languages.
For more information, see [[Link to JIT compilation documentation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-In-Time_compiler) ]