How to make an executable file from a c object file?

c object-files
MalarN picture MalarN · Dec 4, 2009 · Viewed 31.4k times · Source

How to make an object file to executable file?

Answer

DrAl picture DrAl · Dec 4, 2009

You need to link the object file. Your command:

gcc -c -o file.cgi file.c

compiles file.c into an object file (which would typically be called file.o). If you get rid of the '-c', it will generate the executable directly:

gcc -o file.cgi file.c

Alternatively (more useful if you have multiple files and don't want to compile all files when only one has changed), do it in two steps:

# Compile only
gcc -c -o file.o file.c
gcc -c -o file2.o file2.c
# Link
gcc -o file.cgi file.o file2.o

Related questions

What's an object file in C?

I am reading about libraries in C but I have not yet found an explanation on what an object file is. What's the real difference between any other compiled file and an object file? I would be glad if someone …

Read More
Contents of a static library

I have a static library, say mystaticlib.a. I want to see its contents, such as the number of object files inside it. How can I do this on gcc?

Read More
Convert .o file to .exe

Is it possible to convert an object file .o that was created from a .c source code to .exe? And if it is possible is there a direct command using gcc?

Read More