Program Execution in Computer Architecture

These flashcards cover key concepts related to program execution and the translation process from high-level languages to machine code in computer architecture.

Compiler

A tool that transforms high-level language programs into assembly language programs.

Assembler

A tool that converts assembly language programs into object files containing machine language instructions.

Linker

A program that combines object files and resolves undefined labels into a single executable file.

Loader

A utility that places an executable file into main memory ready for execution.

Object File

A file produced by the assembler which contains machine language instructions and additional information needed for linking.

Dynamically Linked Libraries (DLLs)

Libraries where routines are linked and loaded at runtime rather than at compile-time, allowing for newer versions to be used.

Relocation Information

Information in an object file that indicates parts of the code that depend on absolute addresses when loaded into memory.

Static Linking

The process of including all library routines used in a program into the executable code at compile-time.

Executable File

A file that is ready to be executed by the computer, containing machine code that the processor can run.

Symbol Table

A structure within an object file that contains information about the variables and their allocated addresses, including undefined labels.

Text Segment

The portion of an object file that contains machine language code.

Debugging Information

Information that helps correlate machine instructions with source code for debugging purposes.