Linker (computing): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:57, 5 September 2022

Revision as of 03:04, 16 September 2022

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== Overview ==

Computer programs typically are composed of several parts or modules; these parts/modules do not need to be contained within a single [[object file]], and in such cases refer to each other by means of [[debug symbol|symbols]] as addresses into other modules, which are mapped into memory addresses when linked for execution. Typically, an object file can contain three kinds of symbols:

While the process of linking is meant to ultimately combine these independent parts, there are many good reasons to develop those separately at the [[Source code|source]]-level. Among these reasons are the ease of organizing several smaller pieces over a [[Monolithic codebase|monolithic]] whole and the ability to better define the purpose and responsibilities of each individual piece, which is essential for managing complexity and increasing long-term maintainability in [[software architecture]].

Typically, an object file can contain three kinds of symbols:

* defined "external" symbols, sometimes called "public" or "entry" symbols, which allow it to be called by other modules,