Linker, object file, executable file

Linker -  It is a software accept object file one of its  input and links with requires library files.

There are two types of linker
1. Linkage editor
2. Linking loader

1. Linkage editor  It produce an executable file and stores it in hard disk.

2. Linking loader  It will directly load executable image on the ram.

Object File - 

1.  It can't be executed.
2.  It is incomplete file.
3.  It occupies less memory.
4.  Output of compiler.

Executable File

1. It can be executed.
2. It is complete file.
3. It occupies more memory.
4. Output by linkage editor

Note

•  Java compiler accepts high level java program as input and converts it to intermediate level code.
• Intermediate level code is such a code which is neither in high level nor in machine level.
• Intermediate level code is also called as byte code.
• JVM is a software which converts byte code to machine level code.
• Byte codes are placed inside a file called as class file.