What's the use of .map files the linker produces?

Question

What is the use of .map files VC++ linker produces when /MAP parameter or \"Generate map file\" project setting is used? When do I need them and how do I benefit from them?<

Answer 1

A nice article on how to use map files for finding crashes.

http://www.codeproject.com/KB/debug/mapfile.aspx

Manually doing all this is very uninteresting.

I am not aware of any tools which can read map file and help in finding the crash location. If anybody knows please update us.