The utility program used to bring the object code into memory for execution is ______.Select one:a.Loaderb.Fetcherc.Extractord.Linker

Final Answer

The correct answer is a. Loader.

Explanation

A loader is a special type of utility program that is responsible for loading an executable or object code file into memory, preparing it for execution by the processor. The loader performs several important tasks:

1. Memory Allocation: It allocates memory space needed to execute the program. This includes determining the amount of memory required based on the program size and ensuring that it doesn't overwrite other active processes.

2. Relocation: If necessary, the loader modifies addresses within the program so that they reflect the actual memory addresses where the program will be loaded. This is crucial when multiple programs are held in memory at once and their original address configurations do not align.

3. Linking: A loader may also carry out linking, which involves connecting the program to any libraries or other modules it depends on. This step is essential for programs that rely on shared libraries or system calls.

4. Execution: Finally, after loading and linking are completed, the loader passes control to the operating system to start executing the program.

In contrast, a fetcher is not specifically related to the initial loading of programs, an extractor typically deals with data extraction, and a linker is primarily responsible for combining multiple object files into a single executable but does not load it into memory. Thus, the loader is the most appropriate choice for the task described.