Output of Compiler or Assembler: Object File

An object file is an output of the compiler or assembler that contains compiled or assembled code. It is an intermediate file that is created after the compilation or assembly process and before the linking process.

Heading 1: Compiler and Assembler

Compiler and assembler are two types of software tools used in programming. The compiler converts the high-level language code into machine code, whereas the assembler converts assembly language code into machine code.

Heading 2: Object File

An object file is generated by the compiler or assembler as an output of their respective processes. It contains machine code and data that is not yet linked to other object files or libraries. The object file is used as an input for the linker, which combines multiple object files and libraries into a single executable file.

Heading 3: Contents of Object File

An object file contains several sections, including:

- Text section: This section contains the compiled or assembled code.
- Data section: This section contains initialized data.
- BSS section: This section contains uninitialized data.
- Symbol table: This section contains information about symbols used in the code, including their names, addresses, and types.
- Relocation information: This section contains information about addresses that need to be adjusted during the linking process.

Conclusion:

In summary, an object file is an output of the compiler or assembler that contains compiled or assembled code. It is an intermediate file used as an input for the linker to create the final executable file.