One embodiment of a method for constructing executable code for a component-based application includes receiving a request to compile source code for the component-based application, wherein the request identifies the source code, and wherein the source code comprises a plurality of source code components, each of the source code components implementing a different component of the application, and performing a series of steps for each source code component where the series of steps includes: deriving a signature for the source code component, retrieving a stored signature corresponding to a currently available instance of executable code for the source code component, comparing the derived signature with the stored signature, compiling the source code component into the executable code when the derived signature does not match the stored signature, and obtaining the executable code for the source code component from a repository when the derived signature matches the stored signature.