Linker Scripts
Linker scripts are configuration files used by linkers (such as GNU ld or lld) to control how object files and libraries are combined into an executable or shared library. They specify memory layout, section placement, symbol definitions, and other low-level details of the linking process, enabling precise control over the final binary output. This is essential in embedded systems, bootloaders, and operating system kernels where memory constraints and hardware-specific requirements must be met.
Developers should learn linker scripts when working on embedded systems, firmware, or operating system development, as they allow fine-grained control over memory allocation and binary structure. They are crucial for optimizing code placement in constrained environments, setting up interrupt vectors, or creating custom memory maps for specific hardware. Without linker scripts, developers would rely on default linker behavior, which often fails in specialized or resource-limited applications.