2. Overview

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the Microsoft PE executable format and the Microsoft COFF object-module format.

MS-DOS 2.0 Compatible
.EXE Header
 Base of Image Header
unused
OEM Identifier
OEM Information

Offset to PE Header



MS-DOS 2.0 Section (for MS-DOS compatibility only)

MS-DOS 2.0 Stub Program & Relocation Table
Unused
PE Header
(aligned on 8-byte boundary)

Section Headers

     Image Pages
     >import info
     >export info
     >fix-up info
     >resource info
     >debug info

Figure 1. Typical 32-Bit Portable .EXE File Layout

MS COFF Header
Section Headers
     Image Pages
     >fix-up info
     >debug info

Figure 2. Typical 32-Bit COFF Object Module Layout