ELF or COFF, what's the difference?

[SteveS815]

When ordering a COBOL runtime for a SCO OpenServer 5.0.4 system I was asked if it was an ELF or COFF system. I have to plead ignorance about this. What is ELF or COFF? What is the difference between the two and how can I find out what a particular system is?
Clues appreciated.
Thanks.....

 

[Annihilannic]

ELF (Executable and Linking Format) and COFF (Common Object File Format) are just different formats of executable binaries. Recent SCO OpenServer are compatible with both formats, though you should go with ELF if possible as it's newer.

As root, change to /usr/bin and do a file * | more and you'll probably find the binaries in there are a variety of the two formats. Annihilannic.

 

[SteveS815]

Thank you (Ann?) that was very clear and helpful.