The correct answer is: A linker creates a load module.
A linker is a program that takes one or more object files and combines them into a single executable file. The object files contain the machine code for the program, but they also contain information about the program’s data structures and external references. The linker uses this information to create a load module, which is a file that contains the complete machine code for the program, as well as all of the necessary information for the operating system to load and run the program.
Option B is incorrect because a linker is necessary even with variable partitions. A variable partition is a type of memory management system in which the size of each partition can be changed dynamically. This makes it possible to allocate memory to programs as needed, but it also makes it more difficult for the linker to determine where to place the program’s code and data.
Option C is incorrect because the linker must be run before the loader. The loader is a program that takes the load module and loads it into memory. The loader cannot load the load module until the linker has created it.
Option D is incorrect because a linker is needed even with a good compiler. A compiler is a program that translates source code into machine code. However, the compiler does not generate the machine code for the entire program. Instead, it generates object files, which contain the machine code for the program’s individual modules. The linker then combines these object files into a single executable file.
Option E is incorrect because the linker is a necessary part of the software development process. It is used to create executable files from object files, and it is necessary even with variable partitions and good compilers.