Loader (computing)

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In computing, a loader is a program that performs the functions of a linker program and then immediately schedules the resulting executable program for action (in the form of a memory image), without necessarily saving the program as an executable file. In Unix, the so-called linking loader also gets called again during program execution to perform runtime binding (linking) for dynamic libraries.^[1]

Loader programs are useful for prototyping, testing, and one-off applications. One such program was an integral part of Gene Amdahl's original OS/360 operating system, and this loader facility was continued through OS/360's descendants including MVT, MVS and z/OS.

[edit] See also

• Library (computing)
• Linker
• Object File
• Prebinding
• Relocation
• Static Library
• LD_PRELOAD
• Runtime
• Java Classloader