[Day 2] 3. Process Management

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Process: Running an instance of a program.
Program: A set of instructions for the machine (CPU).

Compilation Process

The compilation process involves converting source code into machine code. This is achieved through a compiler, which is also known as a toolchain.

Toolchain Components

A typical toolchain consists of the following components:

1. Pre-processor: Processes preprocessor directives and removes comments from the source code.
2. Compiler:
   • Checks for syntax errors and informs the programmer if any errors are found.
   • Converts expanded source code to assembly code.
   • Assigns addresses to variables and functions.
   • Creates a symbol table that stores information about symbols, which include the program's functions and variables.
3. Assembler: Converts assembly code into machine code.
4. Linker:
   • Combines the generated machine code with library machine code to create an executable file.
   • Adds an executable header containing information about the program.
5. Debugger: Helps identify and fix bugs in the code.

Example: GCC Toolchain

The GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) is a widely used toolchain for converting C code into machine code. Its components include:

1. Pre-processor: CPP
2. Compiler: CCI
3. Assembler: AS
4. Linker: LD
5. Debugger: GDB

Machine Code Generation

• The final output of the tool-chain is machine code, which is in binary format.
• This machine code is organised into sections, hence referred to as sectioned binary.
• The sectioned binary is stored on the hard disk.