System Programming

UNIT- 3: LOADERS AND LINKERS

Introduction: The Source Program written in assembly language or high level language will
be converted to object program, which is in the machine language form for execution. This
conversion either from assembler or from compiler , contains translated instructions and data
values from the source program, or specifies addresses in primary memory where these items are
to be loaded for execution.

This contains the following three processes, and they are,

Loading - which allocates memory location and brings the object program into memory for
execution - (Loader)

Linking- which combines two or more separate object programs and supplies the information
needed to allow references between them - (Linker)

Relocation - which modifies the object program so that it can be loaded at an address different
from the location originally specified - (Linking Loader)

Basic Loader Functions:

A loader is a system program that performs the loading function. It brings object
program into memory and starts its execution. The role of loader is as shown in the figure 3.1. In
figure 3.1 translator may be assembler/complier, which generates the object Program and later
loaded to the memory by the loader for execution. In figure 3.2 the translator is specifically an
assembler, which generates the object loaded, which becomes input to the loader. The figure 3.3
shows the role of both loader and linker.

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

Figure 3.1: The Role of Loader

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System Programming

Figure 3.2: The Role of Loader with Assembler

Figure 3.3 : The Role of both Loader and Linker

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

Type of Loaders
The different types of loaders are, absolute loader, bootstrap loader, relocating loader (relative
loader), and, direct linking loader. The following sections discuss the functions and design of all
these types of loaders.
 Absolute Loader: The operation of absolute loader is very simple. The object code is
loaded to specified locations in the memory. At the end the loader jumps to the specified
address to begin execution of the loaded program. The role of absolute loader is as shown
in the figure 3.3.1. The advantage of absolute loader is simple and efficient. But the
disadvantages are, the need for programmer to specify the actual address, and, difficult to
use subroutine libraries.
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System Programming

Figure 3.3.1: The Role of Absolute Loader

The algorithm for this type of loader is given here. The object program and, the object program
loaded into memory by the absolute loader are also shown. Each byte of assembled code is given
using its hexadecimal representation in character form. Easy to read by human beings. Each byte
of object code is stored as a single byte. Most machine store object programs in a binary form,
and we must be sure that our file and device conventions do not cause some of the program bytes
to be interpreted as control characters.

Begin
read Header record
verify program name and length
read first Text record
while record type is <> ‘E’ do
begin
{if object code is in character form, convert into internal representation}
move object code to specified location in memory
read next object program record
end
jump to address specified in End record
end

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

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System Programming

A Simple Bootstrap Loader

When a computer is first turned on or restarted, a special type of absolute loader, called
bootstrap loader is executed. This bootstrap loads the first program to be run by the computer --
usually an operating system. The bootstrap itself begins at address 0. It loads the OS starting
address 0x80. No header record or control information, the object code is consecutive bytes of
memory.

The algorithm for the bootstrap loader is as follows

Begin
X=0x80 (the address of the next memory location to be loaded
Loop

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

AGETC (and convert it from the ASCII character
code to the value of the hexadecimal digit)
save the value in the high-order 4 bits of S
AGETC
combine the value to form one byte A(A+S)
store the value (in A) to the address in register X
XX+1
End

It uses a subroutine GETC, which is

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System Programming
GETC Aread one character
if A=0x04 then jump to 0x80
if A<48 then GETC
A A-48 (0x30)
if A<10 then return
A A-7
return

Machine-Dependent Loader Features

Absolute loader is simple and efficient, but the scheme has potential disadvantages One
of the most disadvantage is the programmer has to specify the actual starting address, from
where the program to be loaded. This does not create difficulty, if one program to run, but not for
several programs. Further it is difficult to use subroutine libraries efficiently.

This needs the design and implementation of a more complex loader. The loader must provide
program relocation and linking, as well as simple loading functions.

Relocation
The concept of program relocation is, the execution of the object program using any part
of the available and sufficient memory. The object program is loaded into memory wherever
there is room for it. The actual starting address of the object program is not known until load
time. Relocation provides the efficient sharing of the machine with larger memory and when
several independent programs are to be run together. It also supports the use of subroutine
libraries efficiently. Loaders that allow for program relocation are called relocating loaders or
relative loaders.

Methods for specifying relocation

Use of modification record and, use of relocation bit, are the methods available for
specifying relocation. In the case of modification record, a modification record M is used in the
object program to specify any relocation. In the case of use of relocation bit, each instruction is
associated with one relocation bit and, these relocation bits in a Text record is gathered into bit
masks.
Modification records are used in complex machines and is also called Relocation and
Linkage Directory (RLD) specification. The format of the modification record (M) is as follows.
The object program with relocation by Modification records is also shown here.

Modification record Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

col 1: M
col 2-7: relocation address
col 8-9: length (halfbyte)
col 10: flag (+/-)
col 11-17: segment name

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System Programming

The relocation bit method is used for simple machines. Relocation bit is 0: no
modification is necessary, and is 1: modification is needed. This is specified in the columns 10-
12 of text record (T), the format of text record, along with relocation bits is as follows.

Text record
col 1: T
col 2-7: starting address
col 8-9: length (byte)
col 10-12: relocation bits
col 13-72: object code

Twelve-bit mask is used in each Text record (col:10-12 – relocation bits), since each text
record contains less than 12 words, unused words are set to 0, and, any value that is to be
modified during relocation must coincide with one of these 3-byte segments. For absolute loader,
there are no relocation bits column 10-69 contains object code. The object program with
relocation by bit mask is as shown below. Observe FFC - means all ten words are to be modified
and, E00 - means first three records are to be modified.

HCOPY 000000 00107A

T0000001EFFC140033481039000036280030300015…3C0003 …
T00001E15E000C00364810610800334C0000…000003000000
T0010391EFFC040030000030…30103FD8105D280030...

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

T0010570A8001000364C0000F1001000
T00106119FE0040030E01079…508039DC10792C0036...
E000000

Program Linking
The Goal of program linking is to resolve the problems with external references
(EXTREF) and external definitions (EXTDEF) from different control sections.

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System Programming
EXTDEF (external definition) - The EXTDEF statement in a control section names symbols,
called external symbols, that are defined in this (present) control section and may be used by
other sections.
ex: EXTDEF BUFFER, BUFFEND, LENGTH
EXTDEF LISTA, ENDA

EXTREF (external reference) - The EXTREF statement names symbols used in this (present)
control section and are defined elsewhere.
ex: EXTREF RDREC, WRREC
EXTREF LISTB, ENDB, LISTC, ENDC

How to implement EXTDEF and EXTREF

The assembler must include information in the object program that will cause the loader
to insert proper values where they are required – in the form of
Define record (D) and, Refer record(R).

Define record
The format of the Define record (D) along with examples is as shown here.
Col. 1 D
Col. 2-7 Name of external symbol defined in this control section
Col. 8-13 Relative address within this control section (hexadecimal)
Col.14-73 Repeat information in Col. 2-13 for other external symbols

Example records
D LISTA 000040 ENDA 000054
D LISTB 000060 ENDB 000070

Refer record
The format of the Refer record (R) along with examples is as shown here.
Col. 1 R
Col. 2-7 Name of external symbol referred to in this control section
Col. 8-73 Name of other external reference symbols
Example records
R LISTB ENDB LISTC ENDC
R LISTA ENDA LISTC ENDC
R LISTA ENDA LISTB ENDB

Here are the three programs named as PROGA, PROGB and PROGC, which are Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS
separately assembled and each of which consists of a single control section. LISTA, ENDA in
PROGA, LISTB, ENDB in PROGB and LISTC, ENDC in PROGC are external definitions in
each of the control sections. Similarly LISTB, ENDB, LISTC, ENDC in PROGA, LISTA,
ENDA, LISTC, ENDC in PROGB, and LISTA, ENDA, LISTB, ENDB in PROGC, are external
references. These sample programs given here are used to illustrate linking and relocation. The
following figures give the sample programs and their corresponding object programs. Observe
the object programs, which contain D and R records along with other records.

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System Programming
0000 PROGA START 0
EXTDEF LISTA, ENDA
EXTREF LISTB, ENDB, LISTC, ENDC
………..
……….
0020 REF1 LDA LISTA 03201D
0023 REF2 +LDT LISTB+4 77100004
0027 REF3 LDX #ENDA-LISTA 050014
.
.
0040 LISTA EQU *
0054 ENDA EQU *
0054 REF4 WORD ENDA-LISTA+LISTC 000014
0057 REF5 WORD ENDC-LISTC-10 FFFFF6
005A REF6 WORD ENDC-LISTC+LISTA-1 00003F
005D REF7 WORD ENDA-LISTA-(ENDB-LISTB) 000014
0060 REF8 WORD LISTB-LISTA FFFFC0
END REF1

0000 PROGB START 0

EXTDEF LISTB, ENDB
EXTREF LISTA, ENDA, LISTC, ENDC
………..
……….
0036 REF1 +LDA LISTA 03100000
003A REF2 LDT LISTB+4 772027
003D REF3 +LDX #ENDA-LISTA 05100000
.
.
0060 LISTB EQU *
0070 ENDB EQU *
0070 REF4 WORD ENDA-LISTA+LISTC 000000

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

0073 REF5 WORD ENDC-LISTC-10 FFFFF6
0076 REF6 WORD ENDC-LISTC+LISTA-1 FFFFFF
0079 REF7 WORD ENDA-LISTA-(ENDB-LISTB) FFFFF0
007C REF8 WORD LISTB-LISTA 000060
END

0000 PROGC START 0

EXTDEF LISTC, ENDC
EXTREF LISTA, ENDA, LISTB, ENDB
………..
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System Programming
………..
0018 REF1 +LDA LISTA 03100000
001C REF2 +LDT LISTB+4 77100004
0020 REF3 +LDX #ENDA-LISTA 05100000
.
.
0030 LISTC EQU *
0042 ENDC EQU *
0042 REF4 WORD ENDA-LISTA+LISTC 000030
0045 REF5 WORD ENDC-LISTC-10 000008
0045 REF6 WORD ENDC-LISTC+LISTA-1 000011
004B REF7 WORD ENDA-LISTA-(ENDB-LISTB) 000000
004E REF8 WORD LISTB-LISTA 000000
END

H PROGA 000000 000063

D LISTA 000040 ENDA 000054
R LISTB ENDB LISTC ENDC
.
.
T 000020 0A 03201D 77100004 050014
.
.
T 000054 0F 000014 FFFF6 00003F 000014 FFFFC0
M000024 05+LISTB
M000054 06+LISTC
M000057 06+ENDC
M000057 06 -LISTC
M00005A06+ENDC
M00005A06 -LISTC
M00005A06+PROGA
M00005D06-ENDB
M00005D06+LISTB
M00006006+LISTB
M00006006-PROGA

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

E000020

H PROGB 000000 00007F

D LISTB 000060 ENDB 000070
R LISTA ENDA LISTC ENDC
.
T 000036 0B 03100000 772027 05100000
.
T 000007 0F 000000 FFFFF6 FFFFFF FFFFF0 000060
M000037 05+LISTA
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System Programming
M00003E 06+ENDA
M00003E 06 -LISTA
M000070 06 +ENDA
M000070 06 -LISTA
M000070 06 +LISTC
M000073 06 +ENDC
M000073 06 -LISTC
M000073 06 +ENDC
M000076 06 -LISTC
M000076 06+LISTA
M000079 06+ENDA
M000079 06 -LISTA
M00007C 06+PROGB
M00007C 06-LISTA
E

H PROGC 000000 000051

D LISTC 000030 ENDC 000042
R LISTA ENDA LISTB ENDB
.
T 000018 0C 03100000 77100004 05100000
.
T 000042 0F 000030 000008 000011 000000 000000
M000019 05+LISTA
M00001D 06+LISTB
M000021 06+ENDA
M000021 06 -LISTA
M000042 06+ENDA
M000042 06 -LISTA
M000042 06+PROGC
M000048 06+LISTA
M00004B 06+ENDA
M00004B 006-LISTA
M00004B 06-ENDB

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

M00004B 06+LISTB
M00004E 06+LISTB
M00004E 06-LISTA
E
The following figure shows these three programs as they might appear in memory after
loading and linking. PROGA has been loaded starting at address 4000, with PROGB and
PROGC immediately following.

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System Programming

For example, the value for REF4 in PROGA is located at address 4054 (the beginning
address of PROGA plus 0054, the relative address of REF4 within PROGA). The following
figure shows the details of how this value is computed.

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

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System Programming
The initial value from the Text record

T0000540F000014FFFFF600003F000014FFFFC0 is 000014. To this is added the address

assigned to LISTC, which is 4112 (the beginning address of PROGC plus 30). The result is
004126.

That is REF4 in PROGA is ENDA-LISTA+LISTC=4054-4040+4112=4126.

Similarly the load address for symbols LISTA: PROGA+0040=4040, LISTB:

PROGB+0060=40C3 and LISTC: PROGC+0030=4112

Keeping these details work through the details of other references and values of these
references are the same in each of the three programs.

Algorithm and Data structures for a Linking Loader

The algorithm for a linking loader is considerably more complicated than the absolute
loader program, which is already given. The concept given in the program linking section is used
for developing the algorithm for linking loader. The modification records are used for relocation
so that the linking and relocation functions are performed using the same mechanism.

Linking Loader uses two-passes logic. ESTAB (external symbol table) is the main
data structure for a linking loader.

Pass 1: Assign addresses to all external symbols

Pass 2: Perform the actual loading, relocation, and linking

ESTAB - ESTAB for the example (refer three programs PROGA PROGB and PROGC) given is
as shown below. The ESTAB has four entries in it; they are name of the control section, the
symbol appearing in the control section, its address and length of the control section.

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

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System Programming
Program Logic for Pass 1

Pass 1 assign addresses to all external symbols. The variables & Data structures
used during pass 1 are, PROGADDR (program load address) from OS, CSADDR
Control section Symbol Address Length
PROGA 4000 63
LISTA 4040
ENDA 4054
PROGB 4063 7F
LISTB 40C3
ENDB 40D3
PROGC 40E2 51
LISTC 4112
ENDC 4124
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(control section address), CSLTH (control section length) and ESTAB. The pass 1
processes the Define Record. The algorithm for Pass 1 of Linking Loader is given below.
3.6.2 Program Logic for Pass 2
Pass 2 of linking loader perform the actual loading, relocation, and linking. It uses
modification record and lookup the symbol in ESTAB to obtain its addres. Finally it
uses end record of a main program to obtain transfer address, which is a starting
address needed for the execution of the program. The pass 2 process Text record and
Modification record of the object programs. The algorithm for Pass 2 of Linking Loader
is given below.
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3.6.3 Improve Efficiency, How?
The question here is can we improve the efficiency of the linking loader. Also
observe that, even though we have defined Refer record (R), we haven’t made use of it.
The efficiency can be improved by the use of local searching instead of multiple searches
of ESTAB for the same symbol. For implementing this we assign a reference number to
each external symbol in the Refer record. Then this reference number is used in
Modification records instead of external symbols. 01 is assigned to control section name,

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

and other numbers for external reference symbols.
The object programs for PROGA, PROGB and PROGC are shown below, with
above modification to Refer record ( Observe R records).
18
19
Symbol and Addresses in PROGA, PROGB and PROGC are as shown below.
These are the entries of ESTAB. The main advantage of reference number mechanism is
that it avoids multiple searches of ESTAB for the same symbol during the loading of a
control section
Ref No. Symbol Address
1 PROGA 4000
2 LISTB 40C3

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System Programming
3 ENDB 40D3
4 LISTC 4112
5 ENDC 4124
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3.7 Machine-independent Loader Features
Here we discuss some loader features that are not directly related to machine
architecture and design. Automatic Library Search and Loader Options are such
Machine-independent Loader Features.
3.7.1 Automatic Library Search
This feature allows a programmer to use standard subroutines without explicitly
including them in the program to be loaded. The routines are automatically retrieved from
a library as they are needed during linking. This allows programmer to use subroutines
from one or more libraries. The subroutines called by the program being loaded are
automatically fetched from the library, linked with the main program and loaded. The
loader searches the library or libraries specified for routines that contain the definitions of
these symbols in the main program.
Ref No. Symbol Address
1 PROGB 4063
2 LISTA 4040
3 ENDA 4054
4 LISTC 4112
5 ENDC 4124
Ref No. Symbol Address
1 PROGC 4063
2 LISTA 4040
3 ENDA 4054
4 LISTB 40C3
5 ENDB 40D3
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3.7.2 Loader Options
Loader options allow the user to specify options that modify the standard
processing. The options may be specified in three different ways. They are, specified
using a command language, specified as a part of job control language that is processed

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

by the operating system, and an be specified using loader control statements in the source
program.
Here are the some examples of how option can be specified.
INCLUDE program-name (library-name) - read the designated object program
from a library
DELETE csect-name – delete the named control section from the set pf programs
being loaded
CHANGE name1, name2 - external symbol name1 to be changed to name2
wherever it appears in the object programs
LIBRARY MYLIB – search MYLIB library before standard libraries
NOCALL STDDEV, PLOT, CORREL – no loading and linking of unneeded
routines

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System Programming
Here is one more example giving, how commands can be specified as a part of
object file, and the respective changes are carried out by the loader.
LIBRARY UTLIB
INCLUDE READ (UTLIB)
INCLUDE WRITE (UTLIB)
DELETE RDREC, WRREC
CHANGE RDREC, READ
CHANGE WRREC, WRITE
NOCALL SQRT, PLOT
The commands are, use UTLIB ( say utility library), include READ and WRITE
control sections from the library, delete the control sections RDREC and WRREC from
the load, the change command causes all external references to the symbol RDREC to be
changed to the symbol READ, similarly references to WRREC is changed to WRITE,
finally, no call to the functions SQRT, PLOT, if they are used in the program.
3.8 Loader Design Options
There are some common alternatives for organizing the loading functions,
including relocation and linking. Linking Loaders – Perform all linking and relocation at
load time. The Other Alternatives are Linkage editors, which perform linking prior to
load time and, Dynamic linking, in which linking function is performed at execution time
22
3.8.1 Linking Loaders
The above diagram shows the processing of an object program using Linking
Loader. The source program is first assembled or compiled, producing an object program.
A linking loader performs all linking and loading operations, and loads the program into
memory for execution.
3.8.2 Linkage Editors
The figure below shows the processing of an object program using Linkage editor.
A linkage editor produces a linked version of the program – often called a load module or
an executable image – which is written to a file or library for later execution. The linked
program produced is generally in a form that is suitable for processing by a relocating
loader.
Some useful functions of Linkage editor are, an absolute object program can be
created, if starting address is already known. New versions of the library can be included

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

without changing the source program. Linkage editors can also be used to build packages
of subroutines or other control sections that are generally used together. Linkage editors
often allow the user to specify that external references are not to be resolved by automatic
library search – linking will be done later by linking loader – linkage editor + linking
loader – savings in space
Library
Object
Program(s)
Linking loader
Memory
23
3.8.3 Dynamic Linking
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System Programming
The scheme that postpones the linking functions until execution. A subroutine is
loaded and linked to the rest of the program when it is first called – usually called
dynamic linking, dynamic loading or load on call. The advantages of dynamic linking are,
it allow several executing programs to share one copy of a subroutine or library. In an
object oriented system, dynamic linking makes it possible for one object to be shared by
several programs. Dynamic linking provides the ability to load the routines only when
(and if) they are needed. The actual loading and linking can be accomplished using
operating system service request.
Library
Object
Program(s)
Linkage Editor
Linked
program
Memory
Relocating loader
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3.8.4 Bootstrap Loaders
If the question, how is the loader itself loaded into the memory ? is asked, then the
answer is, when computer is started – with no program in memory, a program present in
ROM ( absolute address) can be made executed – may be OS itself or A Bootstrap loader,
which in turn loads OS and prepares it for execution. The first record ( or records) is
generally referred to as a bootstrap loader – makes the OS to be loaded. Such a loader is
added to the beginning of all object programs that are to be loaded into an empty and idle
system.
3.9 Implementation Examples
This section contains brief description of loaders and linkers for actual computers.
They are, MS-DOS Linker - Pentium architecture, SunOS Linkers - SPARC architecture,
and, Cray MPP Linkers – T3E architecture.
3.9.1 MS-DOS Linker
This explains some of the features of Microsoft MS-DOS linker, which is a linker
for Pentium and other x86 systems. Most MS-DOS compilers and assemblers (MASM)
produce object modules, and they are stored in .OBJ files. MS-DOS LINK is a linkage

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

editor that combines one or more object modules to produce a complete executable
program - .EXE file; this file is later executed for results.
The following table illustrates the typical MS-DOS object module
Record Types Description
THEADR Translator Header
TYPDEF,PUBDEF, EXTDEF External symbols and references
LNAMES, SEGDEF, GRPDEF Segment definition and grouping
LEDATA, LIDATA Translated instructions and data
FIXUPP Relocation and linking information
MODEND End of object module
THEADR specifies the name of the object module. MODEND specifies the end
of the module. PUBDEF contains list of the external symbols (called public names).
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EXTDEF contains list of external symbols referred in this module, but defined elsewhere.
TYPDEF the data types are defined here. SEGDEF describes segments in the object
module ( includes name, length, and alignment). GRPDEF includes how segments are
combined into groups. LNAMES contains all segment and class names. LEDATA
contains translated instructions and data. LIDATA has above in repeating pattern. Finally,
FIXUPP is used to resolve external references.
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3.9.2 SunOS Linkers
SunOS Linkers are developed for SPARC systems. SunOS provides two different
linkers – link-editor and run-time linker.
Link-editor is invoked in the process of assembling or compiling a program –
produces a single output module – one of the following types
A relocatable object module – suitable for further link-editing
A static executable – with all symbolic references bound and ready to run
A dynamic executable – in which some symbolic references may need to be bound at run
time
A shared object – which provides services that can be, bound at run time to one ore more
dynamic executables
An object module contains one or more sections – representing instructions and
data area from the source program, relocation and linking information, external symbol
table.
Run-time linker uses dynamic linking approach. Run-time linker binds dynamic
executables and shared objects at execution time. Performs relocation and linking
operations to prepare the program for execution.
3.9.3 Cray MPP Linker
Cray MPP (massively parallel processing) Linker is developed for Cray T3E
systems. A T3E system contains large number of parallel processing elements (PEs) –
Each PE has local memory and has access to remote memory (memory of other PEs). The
processing is divided among PEs - contains shared data and private data. The loaded
program gets copy of the executable code, its private data and its portion of the shared
data. The MPP linker organizes blocks containing executable code, private data and
shared data. The linker then writes an executable file that contains the relocated and
linked blocks. The executable file also specifies the number of PEs required and other

Chapter: LOADERS & LINKERS

control information. The linker can create an executable file that is targeted for a fixed
number of PEs, or one that allows the partition size to be chosen at run time. Latter type
is called plastic executable.
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