Last Updated on March 21, 2023 by Prepbytes
When we write a program in a high-level programming language like C, Python, or Java, it needs to be translated into machine language before it can be executed by the computer. This is where the linker and loader come in – they are two important components of the software development process that help translate and execute programs on a computer.
What is a Linker?
A linker is a software tool that combines multiple object files generated by a compiler into a single executable program. An object file is a machine code representation of the compiled code for a single module or source file. The linker takes all these object files and merges them into a single executable file. In this process, the linker resolves any references between the object files and generates the final binary code that the computer can execute.
The linker performs several tasks such as resolving external symbol references, allocating memory space for program code and data, and generating executable code. The linker also performs the essential task of resolving dependencies between different modules of the program. For example, if your program uses a library function like printf() from the standard C library, the linker needs to know where to find the function code and link it with your program.
What is a Loader?
A loader is a software component that loads the executable file into memory and prepares it for execution. After the linker generates the executable file, it is saved on the disk as a binary file. The loader is responsible for loading this binary file into memory, allocating memory space for the program code and data, and setting up the initial state of the program.
The loader performs several tasks such as setting up the program stack, initializing global variables, and setting up the environment for the program to execute. Once the program is loaded and initialized, the loader transfers control to the program’s entry point, which is the first instruction to be executed in the program.
Linker vs. Loader
The linker and loader are two different components of the software development process, but they work closely together to translate and execute programs on a computer. The linker combines multiple object files into a single executable file, while the loader loads the executable file into memory and prepares it for execution.
The linker resolves dependencies between different modules of the program and generates the final binary code, while the loader loads the binary code into memory, sets up the initial state of the program, and transfers control to the program’s entry point.
Differences between Linker and Loader are as follows:
| LINKER | LOADER | |
|---|---|---|
| Function | The linker’s main function is to combine multiple object files into a single executable file, resolving dependencies between different modules of the program and generating the final binary code. | The loader’s main function is to load the executable file into memory, allocate memory space for the program code and data, and set up the initial state of the program. |
| Timing | The linker operates at link-time, after the source code has been compiled and before the program is executed. | The loader operates at run-time, when the program is executed and needs to be loaded into memory. |
| Input | The linker takes multiple object files generated by the compiler as input and combines them into a single executable file. | The loader takes the executable file generated by the linker as input and loads it into memory |
| Output | The linker generates a single executable file that can be run on the computer. | The loader does not generate any output, but rather loads the executable file into memory and prepares it for execution. |
| Task | The linker performs tasks such as resolving external symbol references, allocating memory space for program code and data, and generating executable code. | The loader performs tasks such as setting up the program stack, initializing global variables, and setting up the environment for the program to execute. |
| Error Detection | The linker detects errors such as missing references, duplicate symbols, and incompatible object file formats. | The loader detects errors such as insufficient memory, incompatible executable file formats, and missing dynamic libraries. |
Conclusion
The linker and loader are two essential components of the software development process that help translate and execute programs on a computer. The linker combines multiple object files into a single executable file, while the loader loads the executable file into memory and prepares it for execution. Without these two components, programs could not be translated and executed on a computer. Understanding the linker and loader is an essential aspect of software development and is crucial for building efficient and reliable software systems.
FAQs related to linker and loader
1. What is a linker?
A linker is a program that combines object files and libraries to create an executable or a shared object. It resolves symbols (names of functions and variables) between object files and libraries, and generates the final binary file that can be executed.
2. What is a loader?
A loader is a program that loads an executable file into memory and prepares it for execution. It performs address relocation, symbol resolution, and other necessary initialization tasks before transferring control to the program’s entry point.
3. What is the difference between static linking and dynamic linking?
Static linking is the process of including all the required libraries and object files into the final executable at compile time, resulting in a single, self-contained binary file that can be executed on any compatible system. Dynamic linking, on the other hand, allows multiple programs to share a single copy of a library in memory, reducing memory usage and disk space requirements. In dynamic linking, the libraries are loaded at runtime by the loader.
4. What are symbol tables?
A symbol table is a data structure maintained by the linker that contains information about the symbols used in an executable or shared object file. It includes the symbol’s name, its address or offset, its size, and other attributes. The symbol table is used by the linker to resolve symbol references between object files and libraries.
5. What is relocation?
Relocation is the process of adjusting the addresses of symbols in an object file or a shared object so that they can be properly linked with other object files or libraries. The relocation process is performed by the linker and the loader to ensure that all the symbol references are resolved correctly at runtime.