| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Dependencies | The relationships between different object files or libraries that need to be resolved by the linker in order to create a complete and correct executable file. |
| Dynamic linking | The process of linking object files or libraries at runtime, instead of at compile time. Static linking: The process of linking object files or libraries at compile time, instead of at runtime. |
| External references | References to symbols or entities that are defined in another object file or library, and need to be resolved by the linker in order to create a complete and correct executable file. |
| Libraries | Collections of pre-compiled code and data that can be linked into an executable file or loaded at runtime by a program. |
| Linkers | Programs that combine multiple object files or libraries into a single executable file that can be run on a computer. |
| Loaders | Programs that load executable files or libraries into memory and prepare them for execution by a computer. |
| Static linking | produces a standalone executable that contains all of the code and data from the linked object files and libraries, and does not require any additional files or libraries to be present in order to run. |
