LINK

 LINK

               Linking is the process by which multiple programs or object codes are put together to perform as a single program. The term usually describes the inclusion of multiple libraries collections of code to perform related tasks to a programming.

  "In programming, a link refers to a relationship between two pieces of information. There are several different types of links that are used in programming:

                         

 Hyperlinks: A hyperlink is a clickable link in a web page that takes you to another web page or to a specific location on the same web page. In HTML, hyperlinks are created using the <a> tag.

 File links: A file link is a reference to a file in a file system. A file link can be created using the file path, such as a relative or absolute file path.

 

 Object links: An object link is a reference to an object in an object-oriented programming language, such as Java or Python. Object links are created by creating an instance of an object and storing a reference to it in a variable.

 

 Library links: A library link is a reference to a library in a programming language, such as a Java library or a Python library. Library links are created by importing the library into your code.            

Software may link to external libraries in any of the following three ways:

 Static Linking: The assembly of all functions called is included in the program by the linker after the program is compiled and translated. The libraries, thus, become an integral part of the program, resulting in larger but stand alone executables.

 

 Dynamic Linking: In this case, the library exists at a separate location on the system. The executables carry a Procedure Linkage Table (PLT) that maps to this location, resulting in smaller executables.

 

Runtime Linking: is often used with plug ins and other software where functions are called from libraries that were not linked to the software during compilation.These libraries are loaded using the Load Library () function in Windows or the dlopen () function in UNIX. Obviously, the library to be used has to reside on the system and does not come bundled with the program.