Portable Executable (PE) file header

Portable Executable (PE) file header is an essential part of the Microsoft Windows operating system, allowing it to recognize the type of application or file being used. It is a critical component of the Windows operating system intended to enable protection and to protect the integrity of code and data.

PE is short for Portable Executable, and is used to refer to a type of executable file found in Windows-based operating systems such as Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Vista. It is the standard executable file format used by Microsoft Windows, and is also commonly called an EXE file, as well as an MZ file.

The PE format consists of various components, including the header, the section tables, the export table, and the import table, all of which store relevant information about the file. The header is the most important piece of information, as it is used by the Windows operating system when it loads the file. The header contains information such as the location of the program’s entry point, the number and type of sections, and the size of the optional header.

The section tables contain information about the various sections of the file, such as the code section, the data section, the import section, and the resources section. These sections can store different types of executable code, data, and configuration information. The export table stores information related to the functions and data that can be called from outside programs. The import table stores information on the functions and data that must be imported from another program.

The PE header is important for file integrity, as it can help to protect against malicious tampering. It is also an important security measure, since Windows will not execute applications that do not have valid PE headers. By having a valid PE header, Windows can ensure that the application is valid, and prevent malicious software from running on a computer.