Program execution is enhanced because only program units actually utilized during a given execution are loaded. The consequent reduction in load time can be significant for large applications, and for distributed applications which must be loaded across networks.
Program maintenance is enhanced because program units can be modified (such as for debugging or enhancement) by recompiling and rerunning without the need for building a new .exe or similar load module. This time savings during the development progress complements the load time savings, resulting in less overall maintenance time.
Perhaps the most significant advantage of dynamic binding is its program distribution benefits. Because a single large load module is never created, one never needs to be distributed. Instead, individual compiled program units are distributed, usually by placing a single copy on a server or other central location. From there, they can be downloaded on demand at run time. This eliminates potentially large costs associated with release of new versions, such as cost to notify end users of the change, cost to reproduce and mail updated media, and cost to install new media on the end users' systems. Since linking occurs dynamically and transparently at run time, end users may never know that a program unit has been updated, unless explicit steps are taken to notify them.