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<a name="Overview-1"></a>
<h2 class="chapter">1 Overview</h2>

<a name="index-GNU-linker"></a>
<a name="index-what-is-this_003f"></a>


<p><code>ld</code> combines a number of object and archive files, relocates
their data and ties up symbol references. Usually the last step in
compiling a program is to run <code>ld</code>.
</p>
<p><code>ld</code> accepts Linker Command Language files written in
a superset of AT&amp;T&rsquo;s Link Editor Command Language syntax,
to provide explicit and total control over the linking process.
</p>

<p>This version of <code>ld</code> uses the general purpose BFD libraries
to operate on object files. This allows <code>ld</code> to read, combine, and
write object files in many different formats&mdash;for example, COFF or
<code>a.out</code>.  Different formats may be linked together to produce any
available kind of object file.  See <a href="BFD.html#BFD">BFD</a>, for more information.
</p>
<p>Aside from its flexibility, the <small>GNU</small> linker is more helpful than other
linkers in providing diagnostic information.  Many linkers abandon
execution immediately upon encountering an error; whenever possible,
<code>ld</code> continues executing, allowing you to identify other errors
(or, in some cases, to get an output file in spite of the error).
</p>


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