.aec files - saved compiled contracts which can be reused by the compiler

[radrow]

An .aec file is an interface file with compiled implementations:

namespace Ns =
  function f : int => int
  function f = babf23in2n43ngijwiefjiwjgi34ji

The typechecker trusts the type declaration. Compiler deserializes code, checks if the declared type matches and just pastes assembly.

Of course you are not supposed to distribute aec files, they are for caching and partial compilation (for REPL for example).