What Happens After the Compiler in C++ - How Linking Works

Explore the intricate process that occurs after C++ compilation in this comprehensive conference talk from C++ on Sea 2023. Delve into the world of linking, examining how compilers, linkers, loaders, and operating systems collaborate to transform compilation units into executable processes. Gain insights into static and dynamic linking, relocations, position-independent code, sections and segments, and virtual memory, with a focus on Linux systems. Learn about the journey from Assembly code to machine code, understanding how function names and labels are resolved across different compilation units. Discover the mechanisms behind memory allocation for machine code and the intricacies of dynamic shared objects. This 59-minute presentation by Anders Schau Knatten, a principal developer at Ascenium, offers a deep dive into the post-compilation landscape of C++, providing valuable knowledge for developers seeking to understand the inner workings of their code beyond the compiler stage.