What is a .OUT file?
An OUT file is a type of output file that is generated by compilers on Unix-like operating systems, which include Linux and AIX. These compilers convert source code written by programmers into executable files, which are files that a computer can run directly. The content of an OUT file can include executable code that performs specific tasks, shared libraries which are collections of code that can be used by multiple programs, or object code which is a lower-level, machine-readable version of the source code.
Originally, OUT files were commonly referred to as a.out files. The term "a.out" stands for "assembler output." This format was initially used by older minicomputer series like the PDP-7 and PDP-11. Although the name "a.out" suggests that the file is specifically related to assembly language output, it has also been used more generally for default output files when no specific filename is provided during the compilation process.
Over time, the use of OUT files has declined as they have been largely replaced by the more modern COFF (Common Object File Format). COFF offers improvements over the older OUT file format, making it more suitable for contemporary computing needs.
To open an OUT file, you typically need a Unix-like operating system such as Linux. In these systems, you can execute or analyze the contents of an OUT file using various command-line tools. Since these files are executable, they are primarily intended to be run directly by the system rather than being opened in the traditional sense like a document or image file. However, for developers and those interested in the technical details of these files, tools that can read and process binary executable formats may be used to inspect and debug OUT files.
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