XCOFF, for "eXtended COFF", defined by
IBM and used in
AIX
Aix or AIX may refer to:
Computing
* AIX, a line of IBM computer operating systems
*An Alternate Index, for a Virtual Storage Access Method Key Sequenced Data Set
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, is an improved and expanded version of the
COFF
The Common Object File Format (COFF) is a format for executable, object code, and shared library computer files used on Unix systems. It was introduced in Unix System V, replaced the previously used a.out format, and formed the basis for ex ...
object file format. Early versions of the
PowerPC Macintosh
The Mac (known as Macintosh until 1999) is a family of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. Macs are known for their ease of use and minimalist designs, and are popular among students, creative professionals, and software en ...
also supported XCOFF, as did
BeOS.
XCOFF additions include the use of
CSECTs to provide subsection granularity of cross-references, and the use of
stabs for
debugging. Information for the handling of
shared libraries
In computer science, a library is a collection of non-volatile resources used by computer programs, often for software development. These may include configuration data, documentation, help data, message templates, pre-written code and su ...
is also more elaborate than for plain COFF.
More recently, IBM defined an XCOFF64 version supporting
64-bit
In computer architecture, 64-bit integers, memory addresses, or other data units are those that are 64 bits wide. Also, 64-bit CPUs and ALUs are those that are based on processor registers, address buses, or data buses of that size. A compu ...
AIX
Aix or AIX may refer to:
Computing
* AIX, a line of IBM computer operating systems
*An Alternate Index, for a Virtual Storage Access Method Key Sequenced Data Set
* Athens Internet Exchange, a European Internet exchange point
Places Belgi ...
, and used XCOFF32 to mean the original file format.
See also
*
Comparison of executable file formats
This is a comparison of binary executable file formats which, once loaded by a suitable executable loader, can be directly executed by the CPU rather than being interpreted by software. In addition to the binary application code, the executables ma ...
External links
IBM's description of XCOFF
{{DEFAULTSORT:Xcoff
Executable file formats
IBM operating systems