Relocatable binary

Larger programs are usually compiled or assembled from a series of smaller modules of source code, producing a like number of relocatable binary modules containing the low-level binary instructions and data 'understood' by a given CPU. These can later be linked together to produce an executable binary object.

In addition to the instructions (in binary form) and data, a relocatable binary module contains other information, needed for the linking process. It includes a 'symbol table'; a list of:

• all the names on all out-going references to other modules;
• the names which this module contains within it;

There is also 'relocation' information, noting the words in this module which need to be modified during the linking process, and exactly what type(s) of modifications are needed for each.