Why do some compilers use "a.out" as the default name for executables?

Why do some compilers use "a.out" as the default name for executables?

c unix history compiler-construction

unix

What's your favorite g++ option? [closed]

c++ unix gcc compiler-construction g++

unix

How to start a Codeblocks project from external code and Makefile?

c++ linux unix compiler-construction codeblocks

unix

How to test if your Linux Support SSE2

linux unix compiler-construction sse2 itanium

unix

Can some explain the performance behavior of the following memory allocating C program?

c linux performance unix compiler-construction

unix

Thompson's Trojan Compiler

unix compiler-construction

unix

Creating an a.out executable from scratch

c unix compiler-construction executable machine-code

unix

Why is the isnumber() function present in certain distros of Unix but not in others? [closed]

c linux macos unix compiler-construction

unix

How is maximal-munch implemented?

regex parsing unix compiler-construction flex-lexer

unix

Mac OS X: Application with NX flag, Stack Cookies and ASLR enabled?

macos security unix architecture compiler-construction

unix

Any good current cross-platform reference for UNIX compiler/linker options?

c unix compiler-construction linker

unix

Bus error when recompiling the binary

unix compiler-construction crash

unix

Statically compile a C++ app with GCC into a binary

c++ windows unix gcc compiler-construction

unix