A linker’s primary function in computing is to combine several object files produced by a compiler or assembler into a single executable, library, or other “object” file.
The following are the major characteristics of its principal role.
- Linkers combine object files containing machine code and data generated during the compilation or assembly process to form a coherent entity. This unit could be an executable application that runs on the computer or a library that other programs can use.
- Linkers resolve symbols and references within and between object files. This includes linking function calls to their actual implementations, resolving external references to libraries or functions, and ensuring that variables are accessible correctly.
- Linkers assign memory addresses to different program elements like functions, variables, and constants. This procedure guarantees that these items are correctly positioned in memory when the application is run.
- Linkers generate executable files that the operating system can directly execute or library files that contain reusable code for linking with other programs, depending on the output type requested.