The preprocessor commands are processed and expanded by the preprocessor before actual COMPILATION. After preprocessing, the compiler takes the output of the preprocessor and the source code, and generates assembly code. Once compiler completes its work, the assembler takes the assembly code and produces an assembly listing with offsets and generate object files.

The linker combines object files or libraries and produces a single EXECUTABLE file. It ALSO resolves references to external symbols, assigns final addresses to functions and VARIABLES, and revises code and data to reflect new addresses.

The preprocessor commands are processed and expanded by the preprocessor before actual compilation. After preprocessing, the compiler takes the output of the preprocessor and the source code, and generates assembly code. Once compiler completes its work, the assembler takes the assembly code and produces an assembly listing with offsets and generate object files.

The linker combines object files or libraries and produces a single executable file. It also resolves references to external symbols, assigns final addresses to functions and variables, and revises code and data to reflect new addresses.