In systems software, what is a loader? Choose the most accurate definition that explains its role in placing a program into memory and preparing it for execution.

Introduction / Context:
A loader is a foundational systems software component that makes an executable program ready to run. After code has been translated by assemblers or compilers and linked by a linker, the loader takes over to map program segments into memory, resolve any remaining addresses, and transfer control to the program’s entry point.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The program has already been assembled/compiled and linked into an executable format.
• The operating system provides memory management services (relocation, protection).
• The loader is responsible for preparing runtime images and initiating execution.

Concept / Approach:
Distinguish among build-time tools (compiler, assembler, linker) and run-time preparation tools (loader). The loader performs relocation (adjusting addresses), symbol resolution where required (dynamic linking), allocation of memory for code, data, and stack/heap, and finally jumps to the start routine (entry point).

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Input: an executable image produced by a linker (static or with dynamic dependencies).2) Allocate memory regions for text (code), data, BSS, heap, and stack.3) Perform relocation: adjust absolute and relative addresses based on load address.4) Resolve dynamic libraries if needed and patch procedure linkage tables.5) Initialize the program environment and transfer control to the program entry point.

Verification / Alternative check:
Observe program launch on any modern OS: the executable is mapped into memory (often via demand paging), relocations are applied, and control passes to the runtime startup code, confirming the loader’s responsibilities.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Assemblers (option b) translate assembly to machine code. Interpreters (option c) execute source or bytecode directly without producing a native executable. Compilers (option d) translate high-level language into object code; they do not place programs into memory for execution. Editing comments (option e) is unrelated to loading.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the linker with the loader; the linker prepares the image, while the loader maps and starts it. Also, assuming the loader only copies bytes—modern loaders also handle dynamic linking and relocations.

Final Answer:
a program that places programs into memory and prepares them for execution