Methods and apparatus are provided to generate an enhanced object file for reliable program execution on a programmable chip. The enhanced object file includes additional hardware information added before or after the object file is linked. Various embodiments further provide techniques for reliable execution of a program on a programmable chip. The programmable chip can be verified for the appropriate hardware based on the hardware information in the enhanced object file. The hardware information may include a bitstream to reprogram a device, interface information, joint test action group (JTAG) information, etc.