Appendix A: Compilation Process

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• A.1 Overview of the Compilation Process
• A.2 Preprocessing
• A.3 Compilation
• A.4 Assembly
• A.5 Linking
• A.6 Example Compilation Command
• A.7 Exercises
• A.8 Solutions
  • A.8.1 Solution 1
  • A.8.2 Solution 2
  • A.8.3 Solution 3

A.1 Overview of the Compilation Process

The C compilation process consists of several stages: preprocessing, compilation, assembly, and linking.

A.2 Preprocessing

Handles directives like #include and #define, producing an expanded source file.

A.3 Compilation

Translates the preprocessed code into assembly instructions for your platform.

A.4 Assembly

Converts assembly code into machine code (object files).

A.5 Linking

Combines object files and libraries into a final executable.

A.6 Example Compilation Command

gcc main.c -o main

This command preprocesses, compiles, assembles, and links main.c into an executable named main.

A.7 Exercises

1. List the four main stages of the C compilation process.
2. What does the linker do?
3. What is the output of the assembler?

A.8 Solutions

A.8.1 Solution 1

Preprocessing, compilation, assembly, linking.

A.8.2 Solution 2

The linker combines object files and libraries into an executable.

A.8.3 Solution 3

The assembler produces object files (machine code).