System and method for compiling a computer program

A system and method for compiling a computer program, and software for performing such compilation, are provided, the compilation process determining where to store the computer program in memory for subsequent retrieval by a data processing apparatus that is to execute the computer program. The method can be used to compile a computer program for execution on the data processing apparatus having memory comprising a plurality of memory sections, each memory section having a record associated therewith identifying one or more access properties associated with that memory section. The method comprises the steps of: a) performing a compilation in order to generate an initial mapping of each code portion of the program in the memory; b) evaluating a cost function to generate a cost value associated with the initial mapping; c) if the cost value does not satisfy a threshold cost value, re-performing the compilation having regard to the record of each memory section in order to generate a modified mapping; d) re-evaluating the cost function to generate a revised cost value associated with the modified mapping; e) iteratively repeating steps (c) and (d) until a predetermined condition is met; and f) outputting the mapping whose associated cost value most closely satisfied the threshold cost value. Such an approach enables a reduction in the power consumption resulting from memory accesses, whilst also reducing local memory requirements. Further, it reduces the risk that the total size and complexity of the computer program will be strongly constrained by the given local program memory size without the need to resort to more expensive techniques such as caches and/or modular programming techniques.