In a multi-file program, the process of combining different executable codes into a single product is called?

The process of combining different executable codes into a single product is referred to as linking. This phase occurs after individual source files have been compiled into object files. The linker’s role is to take these object files and combine them, resolving any references between them so that function calls and variable accesses work as intended in the final executable file.

Linking is crucial in multi-file programs because it allows for a modular approach to coding, where separate files can contain different parts of the program logic. During the linking stage, the linker handles things such as addressing and ensuring that all dependencies are satisfied, so the final output is ready for execution.

Compiling, on the other hand, refers to the process where source code is transformed into object code, but does not involve combining multiple files. Building typically encompasses both compiling and linking stages, but when the question specifically refers to the combination of executable codes, linking is the precise term. Integrating usually implies merging components or systems rather than focusing on the executable code aspect.