Intermediate code files are created by the Compiler when it checks the syntax of programs. These files are independent of both the chip-set and operating system, and are thus highly portable to other platforms. They cannot be shared between processes; if two different executables call, at the same time, a subprogram compiled to intermediate code, a separate copy of that subprogram is loaded into each process's virtual memory space, and run.
An intermediate code file is dynamically loaded and interpreted by the run-time system. Because the intermediate code is interpreted by the run-time system, intermediate code files generally execute slower than other executable file formats.
Intermediate code files have the filename extension .int; for example, myprog.int. The phrase ".int file" is often used as a synonym for the phrase "intermediate code file".
Intermediate code files are created when you check the syntax of your program. Syntax-checking is one of the phases of the compilation process. Programs are compiled using the cob -i command; see cob (cob32 or cob64) Command for details.