Lexicon Entry
Object Files
Object files are the intermediate output of a compiler. They contain machine code and a symbol table, but references to external functions or variables remain unresolved until processed by a linker.
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.