A method and system for minimizing the cycle time when compiling a program in a computer system is disclosed. The program includes a plurality of directories and each of the directories includes a code file. The method and system comprises the steps of providing a master array of directories of the program, wherein the master array lists the dependencies of the directories; providing a code change to the program to provide an updated program; providing associated dependency changes to the master array to provide an updated master array; and compiling the updated program utilizing the updated master array wherein the code files of the directories are compiled in an ordered manner based upon the dependencies of the plurality of directories. Through the use of the method and system in accordance with the present invention, compile cycle time for large programs is significantly reduced. A second advantage is that since the dependencies are updated substantially simultaneously with code changes, there are minimal dependency violations and therefore few deadlocks.