The binder processes object modules, load modules and program objects, link-editing or binding multiple modules into a single load module or program object. Control statements specify how to combine the input into one or more load modules or program objects with contiguous virtual storage addresses. Each object module can be processed separately by the binder, so that only the modules that have been modified need to be recompiled or reassembled. The binder can create programs to be loaded into either 24-bit address or 31-bit address storage (for example, RMODE=24 or RMODE=ANY) and programs that execute in 24-bit, 31-bit, or 64-bit addressing mode (including support for 8-byte address constants). The binder can also create overlay load modules or program objects (see Designing and specifying overlay programs). Programs can be stored in program libraries and later brought into virtual storage by the program management loader.

The binder can also combine basic linking and loading services into a single job step. It can read object modules, load modules and program objects from program libraries into virtual storage, relocate the address constants, and pass control directly to the program upon completion. When invoked in this way, the binder does not store any of its output in program libraries after preparing it for execution. Like the batch loader, you can use the binder for high-performance loading of modules that do not need to be stored in a program library.