An object file is a file containing relocatable format machine code that is usually not directly executable. Object files are produced by an assembler, compiler, or other language translator, and used as input to the linker.
Additionally, object files may contain metadata such as information to resolve symbolic cross-references between different modules, relocation information, stack unwinding information, comments, program symbols, debugging or profiling information. A linker is typically used to generate an executable or library by combining parts of object files.
Read more about Object File: Object File Formats
Famous quotes containing the words object and/or file:
“Agreeable then to my present inclination, I formed the object of my own worship, which was no other than my own understanding.”
—Sarah Fielding (1710–1768)
“A common and natural result of an undue respect for law is, that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel, captain, corporal, privates, powder-monkeys, and all, marching in admirable order over hill and dale to the wars, against their wills, ay, against their common sense and consciences, which makes it very steep marching indeed, and produces a palpitation of the heart.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)