C Programming Interview Questions Part 40: What are the key sections of a linker script?

Описание: C Programming Interview Questions Part 40
What are the key sections of a linker script?

A linker script controls how the linker maps input object files into the output binary. It defines memory regions, how sections are placed in memory, and symbol values. The key sections of a linker script are:
1. MEMORY
Defines the available memory regions, such as FLASH, RAM, etc., with base addresses and sizes.
Example: FLASH : ORIGIN = 0x08000000, LENGTH = 256K
2. SECTIONS
Describes how input sections from object files (e.g., .text, .data, .bss) are mapped to output sections and placed in memory.
It specifies alignment, memory region, and how each section is filled.
3. ENTRY
Defines the entry point of the program, typically the reset handler or _start.
4. PROVIDE
Declares symbols with default values if they are not already defined.
5. ASSERT
Used for validation to ensure certain conditions hold true at link time.
6. INCLUDE
Allows inclusion of other script files for modularity and reuse.

These sections allow embedded developers to control memory layout precisely, especially for startup code, ISRs, and peripheral-mapped memory.

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