What is an object file?
The object file is a computer file generated by a compiler program and contains data and instructions. Compilers translate the source code of the programming language into an intermediate machine -readable form known as the object code. Smaller programs can be compiled to a single object file, while larger programs are usually compiled to several files related functions. These objects of individual objects are connected to Linker and information about the specific operating system system is added to create a executable program.
In common practice, the file file is marked with the file extension ".obj". However, there are several different formats for these files. The most common are the Intel® (OMF) module format and the Windows & Reg and UNIX® COFF file format. In many Inix® systems, executable and connectable format (ELF) came to be replaced by COFF.
regardless of the format of the object file usually contains three types of information MUIt allows you to interact with other program modules. The procedures and data that are open to the external reference are assigned names that can be called from other modules. Similarly, links to information outside the module are recorded, but the name was not assigned. When files are connected, unnamed links will be assigned the name given in the module where they were originally defined. Local names are used for instructions and data listed only within the module.
Not all connecting code are stored as object files. Libraries are collections of pre -compiled routines that are stored as an object code. They are produced in almost the same way as sets of objects and are useful for storing often called procedures. If Linker does not find a link in other object files, it will automatically search it in the library file. Most of the programming language implementation with a standard library function.
forBy media dynamic connection, the object set can be used simultaneously using several implementing programs. Instead of linking the object code to the program when it is connected, it is loaded when the program is loaded or while running when it is referred to the procedure. In Windows®, they are known as dynamic links libraries and are marked with ".dll" extensions. UNIX® -like systems often call this type of file a dynamic shared object (DSO). This type of object file can also be implemented for use with a specific program and would be part of the installation of this program.