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Everything about Position-independent code

Machine instruction code that executes properly regardless of where in memory it resides

In computing, position-independent code (PIC) or position-independent executable (PIE) is a body of machine code that executes properly regardless of its memory address. PIC is commonly used for shared libraries, so that the same library code can be loaded at a location in each program's address space where it does not overlap with other memory in use by, for example, other shared libraries. PIC was also used on older computer systems that lacked a Memory Management Unit (MMU), so that the operating system could keep applications away from each other even within the single address space of an MMU-less system. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: Position-independent codeA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: Independence of Notaries in Carrying Out Their Position Based on the Notary Position Law and the Notary Code of EthicsInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: Objects first with JavaThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: REPICA: Rewriting Position Independent Code of ARMCited 4 times
  5. Go sideways: Loader (computing)A closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: Linker (computing)A closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun Code that is able to execute correctly regardless of its memory address.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. History
  2. SunOS 4.x and ELF
  3. Windows DLLs
  4. Multics
  5. TSS
  6. Position-independent executables

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics