Loader and Linker
A loader is a program used by an operating system to load programs from a secondary to main
memory so as to be executed.
Usually large applications are written into small modules and are then compiled into object
codes. A linker is a program that combines these object modules to form an executable.
ALGORITHM:
The word “algorithm” relates to the name of the mathematician Al-khowarizmi, which means
a procedure or a technique. Software Engineer commonly uses an algorithm for planning
and solving the problems. An algorithm is a sequence of steps to solve a particular problem
or algorithm is an ordered set of unambiguous steps that produces a result and terminates in
a finite time
Algorithm has the following characteristics
• Input: An algorithm may or may not require input
• Output: Each algorithm is expected to produce at least one result
• Definiteness: Each instruction must be clear and unambiguous.
• Finiteness: If the instructions of an algorithm are executed, the algorithm should terminate
after finite number of steps
The algorithm and flowchart include following three types of control structures.
1. Sequence: In the sequence structure, statements are placed one after the other and the
execution takes place starting from top to down.
2. Branching (Selection): In branch control, there is a condition and according to a condition, a
decision of either TRUE or FALSE is achieved. In the case of TRUE, one of the two branches is
explored; but in the case of FALSE condition, the other alternative is taken. Generally, the ‘IF-
THEN’ is used to represent branch control.
3. Loop (Repetition): The Loop or Repetition allows a statement(s) to be executed repeatedly
based on certain loop condition e.g. WHILE, FOR loops.
Advantages of algorithm
• It is a step-wise representation of a solution to a given problem, which makes it easy to
understand.
• An algorithm uses a definite procedure.
• It is not dependent on any programming language, so it is easy to understand for anyone even
