Computing (FOLDOC) dictionary
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operating system, programming, library A file containing
routines which are linked with a program at
run time rather
stored, rather than a copy being included with each
executable that refers to it. This can greatly reduce the
disk space occupied by programs. Furthermore, it means that
all programs immediately benefit from changes (e.g.
bugfixes) to the single copy of the library without requiring
recompilation. Since the library code is normally classified
for a single copy of the library to be loaded into memory and
shared by all active programs, thus reducing
RAM and
(1997-07-16)