Question: What is the Linker Control File and how to use it in Simplicity Studio?

Answer: The linker control file is a type of command or response file that contains only the linker directives. All other .OBJ files and .LIB files are not included in this file. The linker file (.lnp format) generated by Simplicity Studio when compiling an 8 bit project contains both the object/library files and the linker directives. The last line in the linker file is the script that is used in the linker control file. Do note that Simplicity Studio auto generates the "To CUSTOM_PROJ" line, therefore this line is excluded from the linker control file.

An example of a linker control file script and its relevant project is attached in this article

To use the linker control file:

1. Import the project into Simplicity Studio by going to [File] -> [Import]
2. In the [Project Explorer] window, right click on the project and go to [Properties]
3. Navigate to [C/C++ Build] -> [Settings] -> [Keil 8051 Linker] -> [General]
4. Select [Use linker control file] and browse to the linker control file
5. Click [Apply] -> [OK]
6. Build the project