How Linux Works

Assembly Code and How a Compiler Works

If you want to use a compiler's advanced features, you should have an idea of how the compiler operates. Here is a brief summary:

1. The compiler reads a source code file and builds an internal representation of the code inside the file. If there's a problem with the source code, the compiler states the error and exits.

2. The compiler analyzes the internal representation and generates assembly code for the target processor.

3. An assembler converts the assembly code into an object file.

4. The linker gathers object files and libraries into an executable.

You may be specifically interested in steps 2 and 3 of this process. Assembly code is one step away from the raw binary machine code that the processor runs; it is a textual ...