Loaders are system software programs that perform the loading function of placing programs into memory for execution. The fundamental processes of loaders include allocation of memory space, linking of object programs, relocation to allow loading at different addresses, and loading the object program into memory. There are different types of loaders such as compile-and-go loaders, absolute loaders, and linking loaders. Compile-and-go loaders directly place assembled code into memory locations for execution, while absolute loaders place machine code onto cards to later load into memory. Linking loaders allow for multiple program segments and external references between segments through the use of symbol tables and relocation information.