normally, yes/kinda(though not REWRITE actually just RECOMPILE - no code changes unless you need to use the new field) . that happens. though you can abstract file access and use a modular approach to do that and only recompile that abstraction layer (think Hibernate but for the old days)
keep in mind the system used this as a safety feature. to make sure that you dont blow off your foot with incorrect access to the file.