Object Files
Object files are intermediate binary files produced by compilers during the software build process, containing machine code, data, and metadata such as symbol tables and relocation information. They serve as the output of compilation for individual source files and are later linked together by a linker to create executable programs or libraries. This modular approach allows for separate compilation, enabling faster builds and code reuse across projects.
Developers should understand object files when working with compiled languages like C, C++, or Rust to optimize build processes, debug linking errors, and manage dependencies. They are essential for creating static and dynamic libraries, performing incremental compilation to speed up development, and analyzing binary artifacts for performance tuning or security auditing. Knowledge of object files is crucial for low-level programming, embedded systems, and cross-platform development.