WHAT IS THIS?

This module allows you to write ELF ( Executable and Linkable Format ) files with nothing but pure perl! Combined with CPU::x86_64::InstructionWriter you can build your own binaries without touching gcc or binutils or any other megalithic toolchain.

Implementing a compiler is left as an exercise for the reader.

THAT SOUNDS... UGLY

Actually it's fairly painless, if your needs are simple.

  my $elf= ELF::Writer::Linux_x86_64->new(
    type => 'executable',
    segments => [{
      virt_addr   => 0x10000,
      data        => $my_machine_code,
    }],
    entry_point => 0x10000
  );
  $elf->write_file("my_executable");

WHOSE FAULT IS THIS?

I, Michael Conrad, accept full responsibility for this blatant abuse of technology.

BUT WHY, DAMMIT? WHY?

If you have to ask why, you are not a member of the intended audience. Please go on about your business and accept my apologies for this distraction.

THAT'S CRAZY... BUT UM, WHERE CAN I LEARN ABOUT THIS?

Brian Raiter has a very nice writeup about diving into the details of ELF which I found intriguing and educational, and refer back to any time I need to remember some of this stuff.

Once you see what he's doing, you will understand the inspiration for this module.

Also, Thanks to Bob Zimbinski (author of TTY Quake ) for the original inspiration behind my various abuses of technology.