Question

What are the major tasks performed by the linking loader? Explain the term relocation

Answer 1

The major tasks performed by linking loader are:

• It links two or more object codes and provides the information needed to allow references between them.

• It resolves the symbolic references (code/data) between the object modules by assigning all the user subroutine and library subroutine addresses. This activity is called linking.

• In absolute loader linking is done by the programmer as the programmer is aware about the runtime address of the symbols.

• In relocatable loader, linking is done by the loader and hence the assembler must supply to the loader, the locations at which the loading is to be done.

Relocation:

• It modifies the object program by changing the certain instructions so that it can be loaded at different address from location originally specified.

• There are some address dependent locations in the program, such address constants must be adjusted according to allocated space, such activity done by loader is called relocation.

• In absolute Loader relocation is done by the assembler as the assembler is aware of the starting address of the program.

• In relocatable loader, relocation is done by the loader and hence assembler must supply to the loader the location at which relocation is to be done.

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