Binutils

/ˈbaɪnˌjutɪlz/ noun

Definition

A collection of programming tools used for handling binary files in software development, including linkers, assemblers, and debuggers. Essential utilities for compiling and managing executable programs.

Etymology

A compound of 'binary utilities,' coined in the computing era of the 1980s-1990s. 'Binary' refers to the base-2 number system computers use, while 'utilities' comes from Latin 'utilis' meaning 'useful,' indicating helpful tools.

Kelly Says

Binutils represents the hidden infrastructure of our digital world - these tools transform human-readable code into the binary language computers actually understand. Every app on your phone passed through binutils at some point, making them invisible but essential translators in our technological ecosystem.

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