Lexicon Entry
Executable Formats
An executable format is a standardized file structure used by an OS to organize code and data in a binary. Common formats include ELF (Linux), Mach-O (macOS), and PE (Windows).
Related Knowledge & Cross-References
Guide
Linker Explained: How Object Files Become Executables (Static & LTO)
Learn how the linker transforms object files into executables. Explore symbol resolution, relocation records, static vs dynamic linking, and Link-Time Optimization with real readelf and nm examples.
Guide
Executable File Formats: ELF, PE, and Mach-O Explained
How does the operating system know how to take that file and turn it into a running process? The answer lies in the Executable File Format.
Guide
Process Loading & Creation: The Life of a Binary
Curious about process loading? We trace the journey from disk to execution, covering the OS loader, ASLR, and dynamic linking on Linux, macOS, and Windows.