Confusion as this compiler joins ship (4)
I believe the answer is:
mess
'confusion' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'this compiler joins ship' is the wordplay.
'this compiler' becomes 'me' (the person who is writing these clues).
'joins' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ship' becomes 'SS' (prefix in ship names eg SS Great Britain).
'me'+'ss'='MESS'
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for mess that I've seen before include "Dirty or untidy state" , "Where soldiers may eat" , "Military dining room" , "pickle" , "State of disorder" .)