How OS X Executes Applications

MacHore writes "0xFE has an excellent tutorial on Mach-O, which is the file format used by OS X executable files and libraries. It goes into great detail about how Mach-O works, and explains what OS X actually does when it loads and runs an application. Subtopics include Universal Binaries, The Dynamic Linker, Using otool, and other goodies."

Comments

How I execute applications :)

[Anonymous Coward]

When FORCE QUIT doesn't work, 120V A/C to the processor does the trick every time.

Re:How I execute applications :)

[1336.5]

When FORCE QUIT doesn't work, 120V A/C to the processor does the trick every time.

You mean 120V AC (stands for Alternating Current, not Alternating per Current) to the Power Supply Unit (not the processor).

Effectually I'm sure the processor wouldn't like that either.

Re:How I execute applications :)

[voidware]

A/C is amps per coulomb. Since an amp is a coulomb per second, the parent is clearly refering to the frequency.

How it launches?

[pryonic]

All I do is click on the icon and it launches the application! It obviously doesn't do any of that fancy stuff the article mentions or the pixies would tell me!

Universal Binaries, The Dynamic Linker, Using otool? pah!

Mach-O

[Anonymous Coward]

Mach-O? Further proof that Mac users feel emasculated and need to make up for it. : p

"Using otool"

[Anonymous Coward]

Do you mean big "O" tool?

Re:"Using otool"

[mederjo]

The other day I was buying a bunch of computer science/programming type books from Amazon. One thing I'm really interested in is something with a good description of Big-O ( Oh ) notation and how to assign it to an algorithm. I searched for "Big O" and of course I ended with a whole lot of results about having/giving orgasms, fellatio, cunnilingus etc. Not *quite* what I was looking for...

Please include all jokes relating to reading /. and sexual activity, or lack thereof for someone posting to /., in the box below.

BTW, does anyone know of a book with a really good treatment of Big-Oh, hopefully including good worked examples ?

Regards,

Jo Meder

Ooh, I know this one!

[Anonymous Coward]

With extreme prejudice?

Re:I don't have a Mac

[Haeleth]

Oh dear, does Linux practice this awful act as well? I'm an opponent of capital punishment, so it's now clear to me that I can't, in all conscience, use a Mac or Linux. No application, however detestable a crime it may be accused of, should ever face what is no more than state-sanctioned murder!

My question to Slashdot, therefore, is what operating system should I choose?

I've heard good things about FreeBSD's jails, which are apparently very secure without being inhumane. But on the other hand, Windows also has some advantages - I understand it opposes the death penalty so strongly that that it's been known to commit suicide in protest when a user attempts to execute too many applications?

Re:0xFE

[MagicM]

Bastards.

Re:What this means

[Zwets]

Expect an increase of the number of Mac virii

And wormii! Don't forget wormii.

iVillage People

[Aesiq]

Mach-o mach-o man,
I want to be a mach-o man!

Re:What this means

[minus_273]

Actually, I am a mac user/developer and I expect the number of Mac worms to increase by 5-10 times the current amount. I dont want to agree with windows fanboys, but have to admit this. This really a cuse for alarm. The number of worms will increase by at least 5x and millions of mac users are not protected.

Re:Kinda OT.. yet relevant to this thread

[essinger]

Help! I can't understand why 'apt-get install Half-Life_2' isn't working!

> Lets see, for Windows I must:
> 1) Goto Store
> 2) Pay for Software
> 3) Insert CD
> 4) Wonder what Autoplay is going to do
> 5) Navigate non-standard installation

> For my debian/ubuntu systems:
> 1) apt-get install softwarex