VC++ 6.0 larger exe files explained

[Gordon McMillan]

Robin Becker wrote:
> <rant>
> As part of the Wintel push to take over the world it seems as though
> VC++ 6.0 will now only generate files with sections 0x1000 (4k) or
> longer. Under 5.0 and before the linker would allow much smaller exe
> file sections. So python.exe which used to be 5k becomes 20k.
> Needless to say this should also apply to dll's etc and appears to
> offer no obvious advantage. Bill has never been other than cavalier
> with our space time resources. </rant>

Ay yi yi. The whole PE header is full of convolutions so the loader 
can take a packed disk image and align the sections on the fly.

I guess this "feature" designed to "optimize" load time. Or maybe MS 
has been investing in drive manufacturers...

- Gordon