diff --git a/btf/format.go b/btf/format.go
index 5e581b4a8..3e0dedaa2 100644
--- a/btf/format.go
+++ b/btf/format.go
@@ -161,6 +161,9 @@ func (gf *GoFormatter) writeTypeLit(typ Type, depth int) error {
 	case *Datasec:
 		err = gf.writeDatasecLit(v, depth)
 
+	case *Var:
+		err = gf.writeTypeLit(v.Type, depth)
+
 	default:
 		return fmt.Errorf("type %T: %w", v, ErrNotSupported)
 	}
diff --git a/btf/format_test.go b/btf/format_test.go
index c26e023df..4bf21c0fe 100644
--- a/btf/format_test.go
+++ b/btf/format_test.go
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ func TestGoTypeDeclaration(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			"type t struct { _ [4]byte; g uint32; _ [8]byte; }",
 		},
+		{&Var{Type: &Int{Size: 4}}, "type t uint32"},
 	}
 
 	for _, test := range tests {
diff --git a/btf/types.go b/btf/types.go
index 44d393067..dbcdf9dd7 100644
--- a/btf/types.go
+++ b/btf/types.go
@@ -1291,6 +1291,20 @@ func UnderlyingType(typ Type) Type {
 	return &cycle{typ}
 }
 
+// QualifiedType returns the type with all qualifiers removed.
+func QualifiedType(typ Type) Type {
+	result := typ
+	for depth := 0; depth <= maxResolveDepth; depth++ {
+		switch v := (result).(type) {
+		case qualifier:
+			result = v.qualify()
+		default:
+			return result
+		}
+	}
+	return &cycle{typ}
+}
+
 // As returns typ if is of type T. Otherwise it peels qualifiers and Typedefs
 // until it finds a T.
 //
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output.go b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output.go
index 201683ed5..b8855c7ac 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output.go
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output.go
@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ func (n templateName) MapSpecs() string {
 	return string(n) + "MapSpecs"
 }
 
+func (n templateName) VariableSpecs() string {
+	return string(n) + "VariableSpecs"
+}
+
 func (n templateName) Load() string {
 	return n.maybeExport("load" + toUpperFirst(string(n)))
 }
@@ -65,6 +69,10 @@ func (n templateName) Maps() string {
 	return string(n) + "Maps"
 }
 
+func (n templateName) Variables() string {
+	return string(n) + "Variables"
+}
+
 func (n templateName) Programs() string {
 	return string(n) + "Programs"
 }
@@ -82,6 +90,8 @@ type GenerateArgs struct {
 	Constraints constraint.Expr
 	// Maps to be emitted.
 	Maps []string
+	// Variables to be emitted.
+	Variables []string
 	// Programs to be emitted.
 	Programs []string
 	// Types to be emitted.
@@ -121,6 +131,11 @@ func Generate(args GenerateArgs) error {
 		maps[name] = args.Identifier(name)
 	}
 
+	variables := make(map[string]string)
+	for _, name := range args.Variables {
+		variables[name] = args.Identifier(name)
+	}
+
 	programs := make(map[string]string)
 	for _, name := range args.Programs {
 		programs[name] = args.Identifier(name)
@@ -151,6 +166,7 @@ func Generate(args GenerateArgs) error {
 		Constraints constraint.Expr
 		Name        templateName
 		Maps        map[string]string
+		Variables   map[string]string
 		Programs    map[string]string
 		Types       []btf.Type
 		TypeNames   map[btf.Type]string
@@ -162,6 +178,7 @@ func Generate(args GenerateArgs) error {
 		args.Constraints,
 		templateName(args.Stem),
 		maps,
+		variables,
 		programs,
 		types,
 		typeNames,
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output.tpl b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output.tpl
index 8d8047066..474c9c568 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output.tpl
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output.tpl
@@ -54,9 +54,10 @@ func {{ .Name.LoadObjects }}(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) (err
 type {{ .Name.Specs }} struct {
 	{{ .Name.ProgramSpecs }}
 	{{ .Name.MapSpecs }}
+	{{ .Name.VariableSpecs }}
 }
 
-// {{ .Name.Specs }} contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// {{ .Name.ProgramSpecs }} contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type {{ .Name.ProgramSpecs }} struct {
@@ -74,12 +75,22 @@ type {{ .Name.MapSpecs }} struct {
 {{- end }}
 }
 
+// {{ .Name.VariableSpecs }} contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type {{ .Name.VariableSpecs }} struct {
+{{- range $name, $id := .Variables }}
+	{{ $id }} *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"{{ $name }}"`
+{{- end }}
+}
+
 // {{ .Name.Objects }} contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to {{ .Name.LoadObjects }} or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type {{ .Name.Objects }} struct {
 	{{ .Name.Programs }}
 	{{ .Name.Maps }}
+	{{ .Name.Variables }}
 }
 
 func (o *{{ .Name.Objects }}) Close() error {
@@ -106,6 +117,15 @@ func (m *{{ .Name.Maps }}) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// {{ .Name.Variables }} contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to {{ .Name.LoadObjects }} or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type {{ .Name.Variables }} struct {
+{{- range $name, $id := .Variables }}
+	{{ $id }} *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"{{ $name }}"`
+{{- end }}
+}
+
 // {{ .Name.Programs }} contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to {{ .Name.LoadObjects }} or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output_test.go b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output_test.go
index 8d8b00744..75d12219b 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output_test.go
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/output_test.go
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/go-quicktest/qt"
-	"github.com/google/go-cmp/cmp"
 
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf/btf"
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf/cmd/bpf2go/internal"
@@ -79,10 +78,6 @@ func TestPackageImport(t *testing.T) {
 	qt.Assert(t, qt.StringContains(buf.String(), fmt.Sprintf(`"%s"`, internal.CurrentModule)))
 }
 
-var typesEqualComparer = cmp.Comparer(func(a, b btf.Type) bool {
-	return a == b
-})
-
 func TestCustomIdentifier(t *testing.T) {
 	var buf bytes.Buffer
 	args := GenerateArgs{
@@ -97,3 +92,27 @@ func TestCustomIdentifier(t *testing.T) {
 	qt.Assert(t, qt.IsNil(err))
 	qt.Assert(t, qt.StringContains(buf.String(), "DO_THING"))
 }
+
+func TestObjects(t *testing.T) {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	args := GenerateArgs{
+		Package:   "foo",
+		Stem:      "bar",
+		Maps:      []string{"map1"},
+		Variables: []string{"var_1"},
+		Programs:  []string{"prog_foo_1"},
+		Output:    &buf,
+	}
+	err := Generate(args)
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.IsNil(err))
+
+	str := buf.String()
+
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.StringContains(str, "Map1 *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:\"map1\"`"))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.StringContains(str, "Var1 *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:\"var_1\"`"))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.StringContains(str, "ProgFoo1 *ebpf.ProgramSpec `ebpf:\"prog_foo_1\"`"))
+
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.StringContains(str, "Map1 *ebpf.Map `ebpf:\"map1\"`"))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.StringContains(str, "Var1 *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:\"var_1\"`"))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.StringContains(str, "ProgFoo1 *ebpf.Program `ebpf:\"prog_foo_1\"`"))
+}
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/types.go b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/types.go
index 37dad0c76..115d73423 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/types.go
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/types.go
@@ -1,44 +1,95 @@
 package gen
 
 import (
+	"cmp"
+	"slices"
+
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf"
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf/btf"
 )
 
 // CollectGlobalTypes finds all types which are used in the global scope.
 //
-// This currently includes the types of map keys and values.
+// This currently includes the types of variables, map keys and values.
 func CollectGlobalTypes(spec *ebpf.CollectionSpec) []btf.Type {
 	var types []btf.Type
-	for _, typ := range collectMapTypes(spec.Maps) {
-		switch btf.UnderlyingType(typ).(type) {
-		case *btf.Datasec:
-			// Avoid emitting .rodata, .bss, etc. for now. We might want to
-			// name these types differently, etc.
-			continue
 
-		case *btf.Int:
-			// Don't emit primitive types by default.
-			continue
-		}
+	types = collectMapTypes(types, spec.Maps)
+	types = collectVariableTypes(types, spec.Variables)
 
-		types = append(types, typ)
-	}
+	slices.SortStableFunc(types, func(a, b btf.Type) int {
+		return cmp.Compare(a.TypeName(), b.TypeName())
+	})
 
 	return types
 }
 
-// collectMapTypes returns a list of all types used as map keys or values.
-func collectMapTypes(maps map[string]*ebpf.MapSpec) []btf.Type {
-	var result []btf.Type
+// collectMapTypes collects all types used by MapSpecs.
+func collectMapTypes(types []btf.Type, maps map[string]*ebpf.MapSpec) []btf.Type {
 	for _, m := range maps {
 		if m.Key != nil && m.Key.TypeName() != "" {
-			result = append(result, m.Key)
+			types = addType(types, m.Key)
 		}
 
 		if m.Value != nil && m.Value.TypeName() != "" {
-			result = append(result, m.Value)
+			types = addType(types, m.Value)
 		}
 	}
-	return result
+
+	return types
+}
+
+// collectVariableTypes collects all types used by VariableSpecs.
+func collectVariableTypes(types []btf.Type, vars map[string]*ebpf.VariableSpec) []btf.Type {
+	for _, vs := range vars {
+		v := vs.Type()
+		if v == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		types = addType(types, v.Type)
+	}
+
+	return types
+}
+
+// addType adds a type to types if not already present. Types that don't need to
+// be generated are not added to types.
+func addType(types []btf.Type, incoming btf.Type) []btf.Type {
+	incoming = selectType(incoming)
+	if incoming == nil {
+		return types
+	}
+
+	// Strip only the qualifiers (not typedefs) from the incoming type. Retain
+	// typedefs since they carry the name of the anonymous type they point to,
+	// without which we can't generate a named Go type.
+	incoming = btf.QualifiedType(incoming)
+	if incoming.TypeName() == "" {
+		return types
+	}
+
+	exists := func(existing btf.Type) bool {
+		return existing.TypeName() == incoming.TypeName()
+	}
+	if !slices.ContainsFunc(types, exists) {
+		types = append(types, incoming)
+	}
+	return types
+}
+
+func selectType(t btf.Type) btf.Type {
+	// Obtain a concrete type with qualifiers and typedefs stripped.
+	switch ut := btf.UnderlyingType(t).(type) {
+	case *btf.Struct, *btf.Union, *btf.Enum:
+		return t
+
+	// Collect the array's element type. Note: qualifiers on array-type variables
+	// typically appear after the array, e.g. a const volatile int[4] is actually
+	// an array of const volatile ints.
+	case *btf.Array:
+		return selectType(ut.Type)
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/types_test.go b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/types_test.go
index bb5866301..286705a98 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/gen/types_test.go
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/gen/types_test.go
@@ -8,19 +8,34 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf/internal/testutils"
 
 	"github.com/go-quicktest/qt"
+	"github.com/google/go-cmp/cmp"
 )
 
+func mustAnyTypeByName(t *testing.T, spec *ebpf.CollectionSpec, name string) btf.Type {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	typ, err := spec.Types.AnyTypeByName(name)
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.IsNil(err))
+	return typ
+}
+
 func TestCollectGlobalTypes(t *testing.T) {
 	spec, err := ebpf.LoadCollectionSpec(testutils.NativeFile(t, "../testdata/minimal-%s.elf"))
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	map1 := spec.Maps["map1"]
+	bar := mustAnyTypeByName(t, spec, "bar")
+	barfoo := mustAnyTypeByName(t, spec, "barfoo")
+	baz := mustAnyTypeByName(t, spec, "baz")
+	e := mustAnyTypeByName(t, spec, "e")
+	ubar := mustAnyTypeByName(t, spec, "ubar")
 
-	types := CollectGlobalTypes(spec)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	qt.Assert(t, qt.CmpEquals(types, []btf.Type{map1.Key, map1.Value}, typesEqualComparer))
+	got := CollectGlobalTypes(spec)
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.IsNil(err))
+
+	want := []btf.Type{bar, barfoo, baz, e, ubar}
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.CmpEquals(got, want, cmp.Comparer(func(a, b btf.Type) bool {
+		return a.TypeName() == b.TypeName()
+	})))
 }
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/main.go b/cmd/bpf2go/main.go
index fb077e139..367246ba9 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/main.go
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/main.go
@@ -370,6 +370,11 @@ func (b2g *bpf2go) convert(tgt gen.Target, goarches gen.GoArches) (err error) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	var variables []string
+	for name := range spec.Variables {
+		variables = append(variables, name)
+	}
+
 	var programs []string
 	for name := range spec.Programs {
 		programs = append(programs, name)
@@ -397,6 +402,7 @@ func (b2g *bpf2go) convert(tgt gen.Target, goarches gen.GoArches) (err error) {
 		Stem:        b2g.identStem,
 		Constraints: constraints,
 		Maps:        maps,
+		Variables:   variables,
 		Programs:    programs,
 		Types:       types,
 		ObjectFile:  filepath.Base(objFileName),
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/test/api_test.go b/cmd/bpf2go/test/api_test.go
index 76f57157e..72629125d 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/test/api_test.go
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/test/api_test.go
@@ -5,19 +5,20 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"unsafe"
 
+	"github.com/go-quicktest/qt"
+
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf/internal/testutils"
 )
 
 func TestLoadingSpec(t *testing.T) {
 	spec, err := loadTest()
 	testutils.SkipIfNotSupported(t, err)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal("Can't load spec:", err)
-	}
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.IsNil(err))
 
-	if spec == nil {
-		t.Fatal("Got a nil spec")
-	}
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.Not(qt.IsNil(spec)))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.Not(qt.IsNil(spec.Programs)))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.Not(qt.IsNil(spec.Maps)))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.Not(qt.IsNil(spec.Variables)))
 }
 
 func TestLoadingObjects(t *testing.T) {
@@ -29,13 +30,10 @@ func TestLoadingObjects(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer objs.Close()
 
-	if objs.Filter == nil {
-		t.Error("Loading returns an object with nil programs")
-	}
-
-	if objs.Map1 == nil {
-		t.Error("Loading returns an object with nil maps")
-	}
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.Not(qt.IsNil(objs.Filter)))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.Not(qt.IsNil(objs.Map1)))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.Not(qt.IsNil(objs.MyConstant)))
+	qt.Assert(t, qt.Not(qt.IsNil(objs.StructConst)))
 }
 
 func TestTypes(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfeb.go b/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfeb.go
index 62d5b4352..be2f2e68d 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfeb.go
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfeb.go
@@ -12,6 +12,12 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf"
 )
 
+type testBar struct {
+	A uint64
+	B uint32
+	_ [4]byte
+}
+
 type testBarfoo struct {
 	Bar int64
 	Baz bool
@@ -19,6 +25,8 @@ type testBarfoo struct {
 	Boo testE
 }
 
+type testBaz struct{ A uint64 }
+
 type testE uint32
 
 const (
@@ -26,6 +34,11 @@ const (
 	testEFROOD testE = 1
 )
 
+type testUbar struct {
+	A uint32
+	_ [4]byte
+}
+
 // loadTest returns the embedded CollectionSpec for test.
 func loadTest() (*ebpf.CollectionSpec, error) {
 	reader := bytes.NewReader(_TestBytes)
@@ -61,9 +74,10 @@ func loadTestObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type testSpecs struct {
 	testProgramSpecs
 	testMapSpecs
+	testVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// testSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// testProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type testProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -77,12 +91,26 @@ type testMapSpecs struct {
 	Map1 *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"map1"`
 }
 
+// testVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type testVariableSpecs struct {
+	AnInt       *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"an_int"`
+	IntArray    *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"int_array"`
+	MyConstant  *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"my_constant"`
+	StructArray *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"struct_array"`
+	StructConst *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"struct_const"`
+	StructVar   *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"struct_var"`
+	UnionVar    *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"union_var"`
+}
+
 // testObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadTestObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type testObjects struct {
 	testPrograms
 	testMaps
+	testVariables
 }
 
 func (o *testObjects) Close() error {
@@ -105,6 +133,19 @@ func (m *testMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// testVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadTestObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type testVariables struct {
+	AnInt       *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"an_int"`
+	IntArray    *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"int_array"`
+	MyConstant  *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"my_constant"`
+	StructArray *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"struct_array"`
+	StructConst *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"struct_const"`
+	StructVar   *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"struct_var"`
+	UnionVar    *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"union_var"`
+}
+
 // testPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadTestObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfeb.o b/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfeb.o
index dffb8f859..a59e38c27 100644
Binary files a/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfeb.o and b/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfeb.o differ
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfel.go b/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfel.go
index 94efcde9b..4fb0c2280 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfel.go
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfel.go
@@ -12,6 +12,12 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf"
 )
 
+type testBar struct {
+	A uint64
+	B uint32
+	_ [4]byte
+}
+
 type testBarfoo struct {
 	Bar int64
 	Baz bool
@@ -19,6 +25,8 @@ type testBarfoo struct {
 	Boo testE
 }
 
+type testBaz struct{ A uint64 }
+
 type testE uint32
 
 const (
@@ -26,6 +34,11 @@ const (
 	testEFROOD testE = 1
 )
 
+type testUbar struct {
+	A uint32
+	_ [4]byte
+}
+
 // loadTest returns the embedded CollectionSpec for test.
 func loadTest() (*ebpf.CollectionSpec, error) {
 	reader := bytes.NewReader(_TestBytes)
@@ -61,9 +74,10 @@ func loadTestObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type testSpecs struct {
 	testProgramSpecs
 	testMapSpecs
+	testVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// testSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// testProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type testProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -77,12 +91,26 @@ type testMapSpecs struct {
 	Map1 *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"map1"`
 }
 
+// testVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type testVariableSpecs struct {
+	AnInt       *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"an_int"`
+	IntArray    *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"int_array"`
+	MyConstant  *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"my_constant"`
+	StructArray *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"struct_array"`
+	StructConst *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"struct_const"`
+	StructVar   *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"struct_var"`
+	UnionVar    *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"union_var"`
+}
+
 // testObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadTestObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type testObjects struct {
 	testPrograms
 	testMaps
+	testVariables
 }
 
 func (o *testObjects) Close() error {
@@ -105,6 +133,19 @@ func (m *testMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// testVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadTestObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type testVariables struct {
+	AnInt       *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"an_int"`
+	IntArray    *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"int_array"`
+	MyConstant  *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"my_constant"`
+	StructArray *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"struct_array"`
+	StructConst *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"struct_const"`
+	StructVar   *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"struct_var"`
+	UnionVar    *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"union_var"`
+}
+
 // testPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadTestObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfel.o b/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfel.o
index 1cc5b1e1b..9bc2674a3 100644
Binary files a/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfel.o and b/cmd/bpf2go/test/test_bpfel.o differ
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal-eb.elf b/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal-eb.elf
index dafa0302f..8a45210ac 100644
Binary files a/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal-eb.elf and b/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal-eb.elf differ
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal-el.elf b/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal-el.elf
index 0acd3be7c..89b8e9d3a 100644
Binary files a/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal-el.elf and b/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal-el.elf differ
diff --git a/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal.c b/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal.c
index 1639d6ef0..d906d2408 100644
--- a/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal.c
+++ b/cmd/bpf2go/testdata/minimal.c
@@ -12,6 +12,20 @@ typedef struct {
 	enum e boo;
 } barfoo;
 
+typedef struct {
+	uint64_t a;
+} baz;
+
+struct bar {
+	uint64_t a;
+	uint32_t b;
+};
+
+union ubar {
+	uint32_t a;
+	uint64_t b;
+};
+
 struct {
 	__uint(type, BPF_MAP_TYPE_HASH);
 	__type(key, enum e);
@@ -19,9 +33,14 @@ struct {
 	__uint(max_entries, 1);
 } map1 __section(".maps");
 
+volatile const int an_int;
 volatile const enum e my_constant = FROOD;
-
+volatile const int int_array[2];
 volatile const barfoo struct_const;
+volatile const baz struct_array[2];
+
+volatile struct bar struct_var;
+volatile union ubar union_var;
 
 __section("socket") int filter() {
 	return my_constant + struct_const.bar;
diff --git a/docs/examples/getting_started/counter_bpfeb.go b/docs/examples/getting_started/counter_bpfeb.go
index b4ab10c7c..2ebc5eb52 100644
--- a/docs/examples/getting_started/counter_bpfeb.go
+++ b/docs/examples/getting_started/counter_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadCounterObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type counterSpecs struct {
 	counterProgramSpecs
 	counterMapSpecs
+	counterVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// counterSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// counterProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type counterProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type counterMapSpecs struct {
 	PktCount *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"pkt_count"`
 }
 
+// counterVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type counterVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // counterObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadCounterObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type counterObjects struct {
 	counterPrograms
 	counterMaps
+	counterVariables
 }
 
 func (o *counterObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *counterMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// counterVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadCounterObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type counterVariables struct {
+}
+
 // counterPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadCounterObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/docs/examples/getting_started/counter_bpfel.go b/docs/examples/getting_started/counter_bpfel.go
index 6e09ca1a5..ca57ac8d2 100644
--- a/docs/examples/getting_started/counter_bpfel.go
+++ b/docs/examples/getting_started/counter_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadCounterObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type counterSpecs struct {
 	counterProgramSpecs
 	counterMapSpecs
+	counterVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// counterSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// counterProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type counterProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type counterMapSpecs struct {
 	PktCount *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"pkt_count"`
 }
 
+// counterVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type counterVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // counterObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadCounterObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type counterObjects struct {
 	counterPrograms
 	counterMaps
+	counterVariables
 }
 
 func (o *counterObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *counterMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// counterVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadCounterObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type counterVariables struct {
+}
+
 // counterPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadCounterObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/docs/examples/variables/variables_bpfeb.go b/docs/examples/variables/variables_bpfeb.go
index 6740bb8fd..4fd793af9 100644
--- a/docs/examples/variables/variables_bpfeb.go
+++ b/docs/examples/variables/variables_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadVariablesObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type variablesSpecs struct {
 	variablesProgramSpecs
 	variablesMapSpecs
+	variablesVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// variablesSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// variablesProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type variablesProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -64,12 +65,21 @@ type variablesProgramSpecs struct {
 type variablesMapSpecs struct {
 }
 
+// variablesVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type variablesVariableSpecs struct {
+	ConstU32  *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"const_u32"`
+	GlobalU16 *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"global_u16"`
+}
+
 // variablesObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadVariablesObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type variablesObjects struct {
 	variablesPrograms
 	variablesMaps
+	variablesVariables
 }
 
 func (o *variablesObjects) Close() error {
@@ -89,6 +99,14 @@ func (m *variablesMaps) Close() error {
 	return _VariablesClose()
 }
 
+// variablesVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadVariablesObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type variablesVariables struct {
+	ConstU32  *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"const_u32"`
+	GlobalU16 *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"global_u16"`
+}
+
 // variablesPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadVariablesObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/docs/examples/variables/variables_bpfel.go b/docs/examples/variables/variables_bpfel.go
index 6b8099921..f091b898d 100644
--- a/docs/examples/variables/variables_bpfel.go
+++ b/docs/examples/variables/variables_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadVariablesObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type variablesSpecs struct {
 	variablesProgramSpecs
 	variablesMapSpecs
+	variablesVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// variablesSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// variablesProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type variablesProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -64,12 +65,21 @@ type variablesProgramSpecs struct {
 type variablesMapSpecs struct {
 }
 
+// variablesVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type variablesVariableSpecs struct {
+	ConstU32  *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"const_u32"`
+	GlobalU16 *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"global_u16"`
+}
+
 // variablesObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadVariablesObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type variablesObjects struct {
 	variablesPrograms
 	variablesMaps
+	variablesVariables
 }
 
 func (o *variablesObjects) Close() error {
@@ -89,6 +99,14 @@ func (m *variablesMaps) Close() error {
 	return _VariablesClose()
 }
 
+// variablesVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadVariablesObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type variablesVariables struct {
+	ConstU32  *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"const_u32"`
+	GlobalU16 *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"global_u16"`
+}
+
 // variablesPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadVariablesObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/cgroup_skb/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/cgroup_skb/bpf_bpfeb.go
index 3b716c9c0..eaa7d6797 100644
--- a/examples/cgroup_skb/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/cgroup_skb/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	PktCount *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"pkt_count"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/cgroup_skb/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/cgroup_skb/bpf_bpfel.go
index 086736dce..67f5ba473 100644
--- a/examples/cgroup_skb/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/cgroup_skb/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	PktCount *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"pkt_count"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/fentry/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/fentry/bpf_bpfeb.go
index d81f533ba..fd2aeb7b5 100644
--- a/examples/fentry/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/fentry/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -55,9 +55,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -71,12 +72,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	Events *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -99,6 +107,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/fentry/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/fentry/bpf_bpfel.go
index 467e23d4c..1b4d2a2a7 100644
--- a/examples/fentry/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/fentry/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -55,9 +55,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -71,12 +72,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	Events *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -99,6 +107,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/kprobe/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/kprobe/bpf_bpfeb.go
index 07a3b0b0d..c75e68648 100644
--- a/examples/kprobe/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/kprobe/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	KprobeMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"kprobe_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/kprobe/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/kprobe/bpf_bpfel.go
index dcbf486ec..d252db9d8 100644
--- a/examples/kprobe/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/kprobe/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	KprobeMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"kprobe_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/kprobe_percpu/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/kprobe_percpu/bpf_bpfeb.go
index 07a3b0b0d..c75e68648 100644
--- a/examples/kprobe_percpu/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/kprobe_percpu/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	KprobeMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"kprobe_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/kprobe_percpu/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/kprobe_percpu/bpf_bpfel.go
index dcbf486ec..d252db9d8 100644
--- a/examples/kprobe_percpu/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/kprobe_percpu/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	KprobeMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"kprobe_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/kprobepin/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/kprobepin/bpf_bpfeb.go
index 07a3b0b0d..c75e68648 100644
--- a/examples/kprobepin/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/kprobepin/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	KprobeMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"kprobe_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/kprobepin/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/kprobepin/bpf_bpfel.go
index dcbf486ec..d252db9d8 100644
--- a/examples/kprobepin/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/kprobepin/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	KprobeMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"kprobe_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/ringbuffer/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/ringbuffer/bpf_bpfeb.go
index 3df7da158..8e716a87a 100644
--- a/examples/ringbuffer/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/ringbuffer/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -52,9 +52,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -68,12 +69,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	Events *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -96,6 +104,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/ringbuffer/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/ringbuffer/bpf_bpfel.go
index f3d67dede..3a0825c35 100644
--- a/examples/ringbuffer/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/ringbuffer/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -52,9 +52,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -68,12 +69,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	Events *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -96,6 +104,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/tcprtt/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/tcprtt/bpf_bpfeb.go
index 2a5966e13..9567721ca 100644
--- a/examples/tcprtt/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/tcprtt/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -55,9 +55,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -71,12 +72,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	Events *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -99,6 +107,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/tcprtt/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/tcprtt/bpf_bpfel.go
index d599a52e8..4eb5dcd5a 100644
--- a/examples/tcprtt/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/tcprtt/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -55,9 +55,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -71,12 +72,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	Events *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -99,6 +107,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/tcprtt_sockops/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/tcprtt_sockops/bpf_bpfeb.go
index 4db569a84..870c24cbb 100644
--- a/examples/tcprtt_sockops/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/tcprtt_sockops/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -68,9 +68,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -85,12 +86,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	RttEvents  *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"rtt_events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -115,6 +123,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/tcprtt_sockops/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/tcprtt_sockops/bpf_bpfel.go
index 7e7e72453..c371fe554 100644
--- a/examples/tcprtt_sockops/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/tcprtt_sockops/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -68,9 +68,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -85,12 +86,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	RttEvents  *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"rtt_events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -115,6 +123,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfeb.go
index 36b1dceb9..3883b86a6 100644
--- a/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -61,8 +62,14 @@ type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfMapSpecs struct {
-	EgressPktCount  *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"egress_pkt_count"`
-	IngressPktCount *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"ingress_pkt_count"`
+}
+
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+	EgressPktCount  *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"egress_pkt_count"`
+	IngressPktCount *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"ingress_pkt_count"`
 }
 
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
@@ -71,6 +78,7 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -84,15 +92,18 @@ func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfMaps struct {
-	EgressPktCount  *ebpf.Map `ebpf:"egress_pkt_count"`
-	IngressPktCount *ebpf.Map `ebpf:"ingress_pkt_count"`
 }
 
 func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
-	return _BpfClose(
-		m.EgressPktCount,
-		m.IngressPktCount,
-	)
+	return _BpfClose()
+}
+
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+	EgressPktCount  *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"egress_pkt_count"`
+	IngressPktCount *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"ingress_pkt_count"`
 }
 
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
diff --git a/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfeb.o b/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfeb.o
index 9662849e7..928c8527e 100644
Binary files a/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfeb.o and b/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfeb.o differ
diff --git a/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfel.go
index 7767e316d..56d03d193 100644
--- a/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -61,8 +62,14 @@ type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfMapSpecs struct {
-	EgressPktCount  *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"egress_pkt_count"`
-	IngressPktCount *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"ingress_pkt_count"`
+}
+
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+	EgressPktCount  *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"egress_pkt_count"`
+	IngressPktCount *ebpf.VariableSpec `ebpf:"ingress_pkt_count"`
 }
 
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
@@ -71,6 +78,7 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -84,15 +92,18 @@ func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfMaps struct {
-	EgressPktCount  *ebpf.Map `ebpf:"egress_pkt_count"`
-	IngressPktCount *ebpf.Map `ebpf:"ingress_pkt_count"`
 }
 
 func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
-	return _BpfClose(
-		m.EgressPktCount,
-		m.IngressPktCount,
-	)
+	return _BpfClose()
+}
+
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+	EgressPktCount  *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"egress_pkt_count"`
+	IngressPktCount *ebpf.Variable `ebpf:"ingress_pkt_count"`
 }
 
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
diff --git a/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfel.o b/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfel.o
index 5ff34587e..7acc38c25 100644
Binary files a/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfel.o and b/examples/tcx/bpf_bpfel.o differ
diff --git a/examples/tcx/main.go b/examples/tcx/main.go
index e0ac83d94..d31acb153 100644
--- a/examples/tcx/main.go
+++ b/examples/tcx/main.go
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 // This program demonstrates attaching an eBPF program to a network interface
-// with Linux TC (Traffic Control). The program counts ingress and egress
-// packets using two ARRAY maps.
-// The userspace program (Go code in this file) prints the contents
-// of the two maps to stdout every second.
+// with Linux TCX (Traffic Control with eBPF). The program counts ingress and egress
+// packets using two variables. The userspace program (Go code in this file)
+// prints the contents of the two variables to stdout every second.
 // This example depends on tcx bpf_link, available in Linux kernel version 6.6 or newer.
 package main
 
@@ -78,20 +77,19 @@ func main() {
 	}
 }
 
-func formatCounters(ingressMap, egressMap *ebpf.Map) (string, error) {
+func formatCounters(ingressVar, egressVar *ebpf.Variable) (string, error) {
 	var (
 		ingressPacketCount uint64
 		egressPacketCount  uint64
-		key                int32
 	)
 
 	// retrieve value from the ingress map
-	if err := ingressMap.Lookup(&key, &ingressPacketCount); err != nil {
+	if err := ingressVar.Get(&ingressPacketCount); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
 
 	// retrieve value from the egress map
-	if err := egressMap.Lookup(&key, &egressPacketCount); err != nil {
+	if err := egressVar.Get(&egressPacketCount); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
 
diff --git a/examples/tcx/tcx.c b/examples/tcx/tcx.c
index 61996ba02..248f0c340 100644
--- a/examples/tcx/tcx.c
+++ b/examples/tcx/tcx.c
@@ -4,43 +4,17 @@
 
 char __license[] SEC("license") = "Dual MIT/GPL";
 
-/* Define an ARRAY map for storing ingress packet count */
-struct {
-	__uint(type, BPF_MAP_TYPE_ARRAY);
-	__type(key, __u32);
-	__type(value, __u64);
-	__uint(max_entries, 1);
-} ingress_pkt_count SEC(".maps");
-
-/* Define an ARRAY map for storing egress packet count */
-struct {
-	__uint(type, BPF_MAP_TYPE_ARRAY);
-	__type(key, __u32);
-	__type(value, __u64);
-	__uint(max_entries, 1);
-} egress_pkt_count SEC(".maps");
-
-/*
-Upon arrival of each network packet, retrieve and increment
-the packet count from the provided map.
-Returns TC_ACT_OK, allowing the packet to proceed.
-*/
-static __always_inline int update_map_pkt_count(void *map) {
-	__u32 key    = 0;
-	__u64 *count = bpf_map_lookup_elem(map, &key);
-	if (count) {
-		__sync_fetch_and_add(count, 1);
-	}
-
-	return TC_ACT_OK;
-}
+__u64 ingress_pkt_count = 0;
+__u64 egress_pkt_count  = 0;
 
 SEC("tc")
 int ingress_prog_func(struct __sk_buff *skb) {
-	return update_map_pkt_count(&ingress_pkt_count);
+	__sync_fetch_and_add(&ingress_pkt_count, 1);
+	return TC_ACT_OK;
 }
 
 SEC("tc")
 int egress_prog_func(struct __sk_buff *skb) {
-	return update_map_pkt_count(&egress_pkt_count);
+	__sync_fetch_and_add(&egress_pkt_count, 1);
+	return TC_ACT_OK;
 }
diff --git a/examples/tracepoint_in_c/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/tracepoint_in_c/bpf_bpfeb.go
index f422bb8f7..a2afd6fda 100644
--- a/examples/tracepoint_in_c/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/tracepoint_in_c/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	CountingMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"counting_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/tracepoint_in_c/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/tracepoint_in_c/bpf_bpfel.go
index dd9c860d8..8e3858f62 100644
--- a/examples/tracepoint_in_c/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/tracepoint_in_c/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	CountingMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"counting_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/uretprobe/bpf_x86_bpfel.go b/examples/uretprobe/bpf_x86_bpfel.go
index 309c34113..fd8616a9d 100644
--- a/examples/uretprobe/bpf_x86_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/uretprobe/bpf_x86_bpfel.go
@@ -52,9 +52,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -68,12 +69,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	Events *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"events"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -96,6 +104,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/xdp/bpf_bpfeb.go b/examples/xdp/bpf_bpfeb.go
index bcc09fc6a..5fbb5f0af 100644
--- a/examples/xdp/bpf_bpfeb.go
+++ b/examples/xdp/bpf_bpfeb.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	XdpStatsMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"xdp_stats_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
diff --git a/examples/xdp/bpf_bpfel.go b/examples/xdp/bpf_bpfel.go
index 4541c1216..e7b326b11 100644
--- a/examples/xdp/bpf_bpfel.go
+++ b/examples/xdp/bpf_bpfel.go
@@ -47,9 +47,10 @@ func loadBpfObjects(obj interface{}, opts *ebpf.CollectionOptions) error {
 type bpfSpecs struct {
 	bpfProgramSpecs
 	bpfMapSpecs
+	bpfVariableSpecs
 }
 
-// bpfSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
+// bpfProgramSpecs contains programs before they are loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
 type bpfProgramSpecs struct {
@@ -63,12 +64,19 @@ type bpfMapSpecs struct {
 	XdpStatsMap *ebpf.MapSpec `ebpf:"xdp_stats_map"`
 }
 
+// bpfVariableSpecs contains global variables before they are loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed ebpf.CollectionSpec.Assign.
+type bpfVariableSpecs struct {
+}
+
 // bpfObjects contains all objects after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
 type bpfObjects struct {
 	bpfPrograms
 	bpfMaps
+	bpfVariables
 }
 
 func (o *bpfObjects) Close() error {
@@ -91,6 +99,12 @@ func (m *bpfMaps) Close() error {
 	)
 }
 
+// bpfVariables contains all global variables after they have been loaded into the kernel.
+//
+// It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.
+type bpfVariables struct {
+}
+
 // bpfPrograms contains all programs after they have been loaded into the kernel.
 //
 // It can be passed to loadBpfObjects or ebpf.CollectionSpec.LoadAndAssign.