Query regarding the various file format

Hi,

I have some qns regarding ARM format. Hope can someone explain it to me. i am still new to ARM.

I know from a .c file, u can build a .o file.

Linking various different .o file can give u an archive .a file.

but what’s the difference between a .LIB file vs a .a file that generates from the same source code?

And, what is a .out file and a .map file in a main.out and a main.map file?

My project requires me to create a library file of a series of source code package.

I can use Embest IDE and generate a single .LIB file. But what if I use eclipse and gcc and generate a .a file and create a .out and .main file? what’s the difference?

thanks