What’s difference btw object file and executable file
The main difference between object file and executable file is that an object file is a file generated after the source code is compiled whereas an executable file is a file generated after linking a set of object files using a linker. What’s difference btw object file and executable file
C is a general purpose high-level programming language. Furthermore, it is a structured programming language that helps to write efficient programs. Operating systems, language compilers, text editors, network drivers, databases are some applications of C programming language. Object file and executable file are two files related to C programming.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Object File
– Definition, Functionality
2. What is Executable File
– Definition, Functionality
3. What is the relationship between object file and executable file?
– Association scheme
4. What is the difference between object file and executable file
– Comparison of key differences
what is object file
First of all, C program is a set of instructions written in C programming language to perform a specific task. This program is called the source code. The programmer can read and understand the source code, but the CPU does not understand it. Therefore, it is necessary to convert the source code into a machine understandable format. An object code is generated after the source code is compiled.
Object file is another name for object code. The object file has the extension .obj in the Windows environment. Also, the object file has the . or file extension in Linux environment. However, the CPU cannot directly execute the object file.
What is the executable file
After writing the C program, if there are syntax errors, the programmer must edit them. However, if there are no syntax errors, the compiler converts the source code to an object file. Then the linker performs the linking process. It takes one or more compiler-generated object files and combines them into a single executable file. Also, it links the other program files and functions that the program requires. For example, if the program has the function “exp()”, the linker links the program with the system math library.
The programmer does not understand the instructions in the executable file, but the CPU can read and understand those instructions. Therefore, the CPU directly executes the executable file to perform the tasks defined in the program.
Relationship between object file and executable file
- The object files are combined to create an executable file.
Difference Between Object File and Executable File
Definition What’s difference btw object file and executable file
An object file is a file that contains object code that has a relocatable format machine code that is not directly executable. An executable file is a file that can be executed directly by the computer and is capable of performing the indicated tasks according to encoded instructions. Thus, this explains the main difference between object file and executable file.
Type What’s difference btw object file and executable file
Another difference between object file and executable file is that an object file is an intermediate file, but an executable file is a final file.
functionality
Also, the compiler converts the source code into an object file. However, the linker links the object files to the system library and combines the object files to create an executable file.
Direct execution by CPU
Also, the CPU cannot directly execute the object file while the CPU can directly execute an executable file. Therefore, this is a big difference between object file and executable file.
conclusion
In conclusion, object file and executable file are two files related to C programming. The main difference between object file and executable file is that an object file is a file that is generated after the code is compiled. source, while an executable file is a file that is generated after linking a set of object files using a linker.