VisualDSP++ 4.5 Loader and Utilities Manual - Analog Devices

Build Files
Library Files
Library files (.dlb), the output of the archiver, are binary, object and linkable
files (ELF). Library files (called archive files in previous software
releases) contain one or more object files (archive elements).
The linker searches through library files for library members used by the
code. For information on the ELF format used for executable files, refer to
“Format References” on page A-17.
� The
archiver automatically converts legacy input objects from
COFF to ELF format.
Linker Output Files
The linker’s output files (.dxe, .sm, .ovl) are binary executable files
(ELF). The executable files contain program code and debugging
information. The linker fully resolves addresses in executable files. For
information on the ELF format used for executable files, see the TIS Committee
texts cited in “Format References” on page A-17.
The loaders/splitter utilities are used to convert executable files into
boot-loadable or non-bootable files.
Executable files are converted into a boot-loadable file (.ldr) for the ADI
processors using a splitter utility. Once an application program is fully
debugged, it is ready to be converted into a boot-loadable file.
A boot-loadable file is transported into and run from a processor’s internal
memory. This file is then programmed (burned) into an external memory
device within your target system.
A splitter utility generates non-bootable, PROM-image files by processing
executable files and producing an output PROM file. A non-bootable,
PROM-image file executes from processor external memory.
A-6 VisualDSP++ 4.5 Loader and Utilities Manual