DLL Programmer's Guide for TNS/E Systems

DLLs on a TNS/E System
DLL Programmer’s Guide for TNS/E Systems—527252-006
1-6
Compilers
Compilers
The TNS/E compilers translate source input into a linkfile. In addition to object code
and data, TNS/E compilers generate the following auxiliary information as part of their
linkfile output that is used by the linker:

A symbol table, which identifies all the symbols that this linkfile either makes
available to other code files or needs from other code files.

A relocation table, which points to all the places in the compiled code and data that
must be relocated by the linker. Each entry that refers to an external symbol
contains a pointer to the corresponding entry in the external symbol table.
Linker
The TNS/E PIC linker is named eld; it combines one or more PIC linkfiles to create a
PIC loadfile. In doing this, the linker manipulates both code and data, then places all of
the loadfile’s adjustable references in tables outside the code to make them available
to the loader. This process, called linking or executing a link, must be applied to
linkfiles after they have been compiled and before they can be loaded for execution.
Figure 1-3. Simplified Code Generation and Load Processes
Compiler
Loader
Linker
Source
LinkfileLinkfile Linkfile
Loadfile LoadfileLoadfile
Executable load image
{
A program
and libraries
VST013.vsd