Linker (computing)

An illustration of the linking process. Object files and static libraries are assembled into a new library or executable

A linker or link editor is a computer program that combines intermediate software build files such as object and library files into a single executable file such as a program or library. A linker is often part of a toolchain that includes a compiler and/or assembler that generates intermediate files that the linker processes. The linker may be integrated with other toolchain tools such that the user does not interact with the linker directly.

A simpler version that writes its output directly to memory is called the loader, though loading is typically considered a separate process.^[1]^[2]

^ Cite error: The named reference IBM_1972 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Barron_1978_Consolidator was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[IBM_1972-1] Cite error: The named reference IBM_1972 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Barron_1978_Consolidator-2] Cite error: The named reference Barron_1978_Consolidator was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1]

[2]