How is a binary executable organized? Let’s explore it! by Julia Evans.
From the post:
I used to think that executables were totally impenetrable. I’d compile a C program, and then that was it! I had a Magical Binary Executable that I could no longer read.
It is not so! Executable file formats are regular file formats that you can understand. I’ll explain some simple tools to start! We’ll be working on Linux, with ELF binaries. (binaries are kind of the definition of platform-specific, so this is all platform-specific.) We’ll be using C, but you could just as easily look at output from any compiled language.
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I’ll be the first to admit that following Julia’s blog too closely carries the risk of changing you into a *nix kernel hacker.
I get a UTF-8 encoding error from her RSS feed so I have to follow her posts manually. Maybe the only thing that has saved me thus far. 😉
Seriously, Julia’s posts help you expand your knowledge of what is on other side of the screen.
Enjoy!
PS: Julia is demonstrating a world of subjects that are largely unknown to the casual user. Not looking for a subject does not protect you from a defect in that subject.