Information and Communication Technology

3.1.5 Linker and Loader Programmes 

A linker is a system programme that links modules or programme segments together so that they can refer to one another. It produces a single load module that can be stored in a programme library on disk or run as a programme to produce results. The linker is respon sible for producing an executable code by linking the object code with other library functions (see the illustration below).

A loader is also a system programme that loads programmes stored in a programme library into memory for execution. An example of a loader is the bootstrap loader that brings the operating system from the disk and loads it into the memory.