Which component provides prewritten binary files that programmers can use in their Linux applications?

Libraries are collections of prewritten binary files that provide a range of functions and routines which programmers can utilize in their applications. These libraries facilitate code reuse, allow developers to implement complex functionalities without having to write everything from scratch, and generally increase the efficiency of software development.

When a program links against a library, it can call upon these predefined functions, which can include mathematical operations, input/output handling, string manipulation, and much more, depending on the library in use. This modular approach allows for proper organization and can reduce the size of the executable files, as the library code is shared among different applications that use it.

In contrast, executables consist of complete programs that can be run by the operating system. Packages refer to bundled software that may include executables, libraries, and other resources necessary for the software to function, but they do not specifically denote only prewritten binary files for application use. Modules typically refer to components that can be loaded into the system, such as kernel modules, rather than directly being used in developing applications.