* buildsym.c (finish_block): Change innerblock_anon_complaint to
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / ld / ld.texinfo
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f22eee08 1\input texinfo
c8072296 2@setfilename ld.info
b4d4e8e3 3@syncodeindex ky cp
7f9ae73e 4@include configdoc.texi
8de26d62 5@c (configdoc.texi is generated by the Makefile)
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6
7@c @smallbook
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8
9@ifinfo
10@format
11START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
f9d3d71a 12* Ld: (ld). The GNU linker.
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13END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
14@end format
15@end ifinfo
16
b4d4e8e3 17@ifinfo
c653b370 18This file documents the @sc{gnu} linker LD.
b4d4e8e3 19
431e1e85 20Copyright (C) 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 1996 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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21
22Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
23this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
24are preserved on all copies.
25
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26Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
27manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
28the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
29permission notice identical to this one.
30
31Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
32into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
33
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34@ignore
35Permission is granted to process this file through Tex and print the
36results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
37notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
38(this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
39
40@end ignore
b4d4e8e3 41@end ifinfo
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42@iftex
43@finalout
b4d4e8e3 44@setchapternewpage odd
246504a5 45@settitle Using LD, the GNU linker
f22eee08 46@titlepage
246504a5 47@title Using ld
c8072296 48@subtitle The GNU linker
f22eee08 49@sp 1
cb70c872 50@subtitle @code{ld} version 2
d4e5e3c3 51@subtitle January 1994
c653b370 52@author Steve Chamberlain
c8072296 53@author Cygnus Support
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54@page
55
56@tex
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57{\parskip=0pt
58\hfill Cygnus Support\par
c653b370 59\hfill steve\@cygnus.com, doc\@cygnus.com\par
ec40bbb8 60\hfill {\it Using LD, the GNU linker}\par
d4e5e3c3 61\hfill Edited by Jeffrey Osier (jeffrey\@cygnus.com)\par
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62}
63\global\parindent=0pt % Steve likes it this way.
64@end tex
65
f22eee08 66@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
431e1e85 67Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 1996 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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68
69Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
70this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
71are preserved on all copies.
72
73Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
74manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
75the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
76permission notice identical to this one.
77
78Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
79into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
f22eee08 80@end titlepage
2c5c0674 81@end iftex
b4d4e8e3 82@c FIXME: Talk about importance of *order* of args, cmds to linker!
f22eee08 83
f22eee08 84@ifinfo
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85@node Top
86@top Using ld
c653b370 87This file documents the @sc{gnu} linker ld.
f22eee08 88
2c5c0674 89@menu
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90* Overview:: Overview
91* Invocation:: Invocation
92* Commands:: Command Language
ec40bbb8 93@ifset GENERIC
2d59b2c3 94* Machine Dependent:: Machine Dependent Features
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95@end ifset
96@ifclear GENERIC
97@ifset H8300
98* H8/300:: ld and the H8/300
99@end ifset
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100@ifset Hitachi
101* Hitachi:: ld and other Hitachi micros
102@end ifset
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103@ifset I960
104* i960:: ld and the Intel 960 family
105@end ifset
106@end ifclear
107@ifclear SingleFormat
2d59b2c3 108* BFD:: BFD
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109@end ifclear
110@c Following blank line required for remaining bug in makeinfo conds/menus
111
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112* MRI:: MRI Compatible Script Files
113* Index:: Index
2c5c0674 114@end menu
ec40bbb8 115@end ifinfo
2c5c0674 116
ec40bbb8 117@node Overview
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118@chapter Overview
119
c653b370 120@cindex @sc{gnu} linker
2c5c0674 121@cindex what is this?
246504a5 122@code{ld} combines a number of object and archive files, relocates
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123their data and ties up symbol references. Usually the last step in
124compiling a program is to run @code{ld}.
f22eee08 125
246504a5 126@code{ld} accepts Linker Command Language files written in
2c5c0674 127a superset of AT&T's Link Editor Command Language syntax,
b4d4e8e3 128to provide explicit and total control over the linking process.
f22eee08 129
ec40bbb8 130@ifclear SingleFormat
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131This version of @code{ld} uses the general purpose BFD libraries
132to operate on object files. This allows @code{ld} to read, combine, and
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133write object files in many different formats---for example, COFF or
134@code{a.out}. Different formats may be linked together to produce any
d4e5e3c3 135available kind of object file. @xref{BFD}, for more information.
ec40bbb8 136@end ifclear
f22eee08 137
c653b370 138Aside from its flexibility, the @sc{gnu} linker is more helpful than other
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139linkers in providing diagnostic information. Many linkers abandon
140execution immediately upon encountering an error; whenever possible,
246504a5 141@code{ld} continues executing, allowing you to identify other errors
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142(or, in some cases, to get an output file in spite of the error).
143
ec40bbb8 144@node Invocation
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145@chapter Invocation
146
c653b370 147The @sc{gnu} linker @code{ld} is meant to cover a broad range of situations,
2c5c0674 148and to be as compatible as possible with other linkers. As a result,
ec40bbb8 149you have many choices to control its behavior.
2c5c0674 150
ec40bbb8 151@ifset UsesEnvVars
2c5c0674 152@menu
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153* Options:: Command Line Options
154* Environment:: Environment Variables
2c5c0674 155@end menu
f22eee08 156
ec40bbb8 157@node Options
2c5c0674 158@section Command Line Options
ec40bbb8 159@end ifset
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160
161@cindex command line
162@cindex options
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163The linker supports a plethora of command-line options, but in actual
164practice few of them are used in any particular context.
2c5c0674 165@cindex standard Unix system
246504a5 166For instance, a frequent use of @code{ld} is to link standard Unix
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167object files on a standard, supported Unix system. On such a system, to
168link a file @code{hello.o}:
ec40bbb8 169
c653b370 170@smallexample
ec40bbb8 171ld -o @var{output} /lib/crt0.o hello.o -lc
c653b370 172@end smallexample
ec40bbb8 173
d76ae847 174This tells @code{ld} to produce a file called @var{output} as the
b4d4e8e3 175result of linking the file @code{/lib/crt0.o} with @code{hello.o} and
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176the library @code{libc.a}, which will come from the standard search
177directories. (See the discussion of the @samp{-l} option below.)
f22eee08 178
246504a5 179The command-line options to @code{ld} may be specified in any order, and
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180may be repeated at will. Repeating most options with a different
181argument will either have no further effect, or override prior
ec40bbb8 182occurrences (those further to the left on the command line) of that
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183option. Options which may be meaningfully specified more than once are
184noted in the descriptions below.
f22eee08 185
2c5c0674 186@cindex object files
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187Non-option arguments are objects files which are to be linked together.
188They may follow, precede, or be mixed in with command-line options,
189except that an object file argument may not be placed between an option
190and its argument.
f22eee08 191
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192Usually the linker is invoked with at least one object file, but you can
193specify other forms of binary input files using @samp{-l}, @samp{-R},
194and the script command language. If @emph{no} binary input files at all
195are specified, the linker does not produce any output, and issues the
196message @samp{No input files}.
2c5c0674 197
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198If the linker can not recognize the format of an object file, it will
199assume that it is a linker script. A script specified in this way
200augments the main linker script used for the link (either the default
201linker script or the one specified by using @samp{-T}). This feature
202permits the linker to link against a file which appears to be an object
203or an archive, but actually merely defines some symbol values, or uses
204@code{INPUT} or @code{GROUP} to load other objects. @xref{Commands}.
205
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206For options whose names are a single letter,
207option arguments must either follow the option letter without intervening
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208whitespace, or be given as separate arguments immediately following the
209option that requires them.
210
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211For options whose names are multiple letters, either one dash or two can
212precede the option name; for example, @samp{--oformat} and
213@samp{-oformat} are equivalent. Arguments to multiple-letter options
214must either be separated from the option name by an equals sign, or be
215given as separate arguments immediately following the option that
216requires them. For example, @samp{--oformat srec} and
217@samp{--oformat=srec} are equivalent. Unique abbreviations of the names
218of multiple-letter options are accepted.
219
f22eee08 220@table @code
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221@kindex -a@var{keyword}
222@item -a@var{keyword}
223This option is supported for HP/UX compatibility. The @var{keyword}
224argument must be one of the strings @samp{archive}, @samp{shared}, or
225@samp{default}. @samp{-aarchive} is functionally equivalent to
226@samp{-Bstatic}, and the other two keywords are functionally equivalent
227to @samp{-Bdynamic}. This option may be used any number of times.
228
ec40bbb8 229@ifset I960
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230@cindex architectures
231@kindex -A@var{arch}
b4d4e8e3 232@item -A@var{architecture}
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233@kindex --architecture=@var{arch}
234@itemx --architecture=@var{architecture}
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235In the current release of @code{ld}, this option is useful only for the
236Intel 960 family of architectures. In that @code{ld} configuration, the
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237@var{architecture} argument identifies the particular architecture in
238the 960 family, enabling some safeguards and modifying the
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239archive-library search path. @xref{i960,,@code{ld} and the Intel 960
240family}, for details.
b4d4e8e3 241
246504a5 242Future releases of @code{ld} may support similar functionality for
b4d4e8e3 243other architecture families.
ec40bbb8 244@end ifset
b4d4e8e3 245
ec40bbb8 246@ifclear SingleFormat
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247@cindex binary input format
248@kindex -b @var{format}
67afbcea 249@kindex --format=@var{format}
2c5c0674 250@cindex input format
2c5c0674 251@cindex input format
c653b370 252@item -b @var{input-format}
67afbcea 253@itemx --format=@var{input-format}
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254@code{ld} may be configured to support more than one kind of object
255file. If your @code{ld} is configured this way, you can use the
256@samp{-b} option to specify the binary format for input object files
257that follow this option on the command line. Even when @code{ld} is
258configured to support alternative object formats, you don't usually need
259to specify this, as @code{ld} should be configured to expect as a
260default input format the most usual format on each machine.
261@var{input-format} is a text string, the name of a particular format
262supported by the BFD libraries. (You can list the available binary
67afbcea 263formats with @samp{objdump -i}.)
1fb57a5d 264@xref{BFD}.
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265
266You may want to use this option if you are linking files with an unusual
ec40bbb8 267binary format. You can also use @samp{-b} to switch formats explicitly (when
2c5c0674 268linking object files of different formats), by including
ec40bbb8 269@samp{-b @var{input-format}} before each group of object files in a
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270particular format.
271
272The default format is taken from the environment variable
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273@code{GNUTARGET}.
274@ifset UsesEnvVars
275@xref{Environment}.
276@end ifset
277You can also define the input
867a1b8a 278format from a script, using the command @code{TARGET}; see @ref{Option
d76ae847 279Commands}.
ec40bbb8 280@end ifclear
2c5c0674 281
2d59b2c3 282@kindex -c @var{MRI-cmdfile}
67afbcea 283@kindex --mri-script=@var{MRI-cmdfile}
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284@cindex compatibility, MRI
285@item -c @var{MRI-commandfile}
67afbcea 286@itemx --mri-script=@var{MRI-commandfile}
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287For compatibility with linkers produced by MRI, @code{ld} accepts script
288files written in an alternate, restricted command language, described in
d76ae847 289@ref{MRI,,MRI Compatible Script Files}. Introduce MRI script files with
ec40bbb8 290the option @samp{-c}; use the @samp{-T} option to run linker
d76ae847 291scripts written in the general-purpose @code{ld} scripting language.
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292If @var{MRI-cmdfile} does not exist, @code{ld} looks for it in the directories
293specified by any @samp{-L} options.
b4d4e8e3 294
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295@cindex common allocation
296@kindex -d
2c5c0674 297@kindex -dc
2c5c0674 298@kindex -dp
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299@item -d
300@itemx -dc
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301@itemx -dp
302These three options are equivalent; multiple forms are supported for
ec40bbb8 303compatibility with other linkers. They
2c5c0674 304assign space to common symbols even if a relocatable output file is
ec40bbb8 305specified (with @samp{-r}). The script command
867a1b8a 306@code{FORCE_COMMON_ALLOCATION} has the same effect. @xref{Option
d76ae847 307Commands}.
b4d4e8e3 308
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309@cindex entry point, from command line
310@kindex -e @var{entry}
67afbcea 311@kindex --entry=@var{entry}
f22eee08 312@item -e @var{entry}
67afbcea 313@itemx --entry=@var{entry}
f22eee08 314Use @var{entry} as the explicit symbol for beginning execution of your
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315program, rather than the default entry point. @xref{Entry Point}, for a
316discussion of defaults and other ways of specifying the
317entry point.
f22eee08 318
c653b370 319@cindex dynamic symbol table
7ec9d825 320@kindex -E
c653b370 321@kindex -export-dynamic
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322@item -E
323@itemx -export-dynamic
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324When creating a dynamically linked executable, add all symbols to the
325dynamic symbol table. Normally, the dynamic symbol table contains only
326symbols which are used by a dynamic object. This option is needed for
327some uses of @code{dlopen}.
c653b370 328
ec40bbb8 329@ifclear SingleFormat
2c5c0674 330@kindex -F
b4d4e8e3 331@item -F
2c5c0674 332@itemx -F@var{format}
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333Ignored. Some older linkers used this option throughout a compilation
334toolchain for specifying object-file format for both input and output
335object files. The mechanisms @code{ld} uses for this purpose (the
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336@samp{-b} or @samp{-format} options for input files, @samp{-oformat}
337option or the @code{TARGET} command in linker scripts for output files,
338the @code{GNUTARGET} environment variable) are more flexible, but
339@code{ld} accepts the @samp{-F} option for compatibility with scripts
340written to call the old linker.
ec40bbb8 341@end ifclear
2c5c0674 342
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343@kindex --force-exe-suffix
344@item --force-exe-suffix
345Make sure that an output file has a .exe suffix.
346
347If a successfully built fully linked output file does not have a
348@code{.exe} or @code{.dll} suffix, this option forces the linker to copy
349the output file to one of the same name with a @code{.exe} suffix. This
350option is useful when using unmodified Unix makefiles on a Microsoft
351Windows host, since some versions of Windows won't run an image unless
352it ends in a @code{.exe} suffix.
353
2c5c0674 354@kindex -g
b4d4e8e3 355@item -g
ec40bbb8 356Ignored. Provided for compatibility with other tools.
b4d4e8e3 357
8ddef552 358@kindex -G
67afbcea 359@kindex --gpsize
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360@cindex object size
361@item -G@var{value}
67afbcea 362@itemx --gpsize=@var{value}
8ddef552 363Set the maximum size of objects to be optimized using the GP register to
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364@var{size}. This is only meaningful for object file formats such as
365MIPS ECOFF which supports putting large and small objects into different
366sections. This is ignored for other object file formats.
8ddef552 367
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368@cindex runtime library name
369@kindex -h@var{name}
370@kindex -soname=@var{name}
371@item -h@var{name}
372@itemx -soname=@var{name}
373When creating an ELF shared object, set the internal DT_SONAME field to
374the specified name. When an executable is linked with a shared object
375which has a DT_SONAME field, then when the executable is run the dynamic
376linker will attempt to load the shared object specified by the DT_SONAME
377field rather than the using the file name given to the linker.
de87cdb4 378
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379@kindex -i
380@cindex incremental link
f22eee08 381@item -i
ec40bbb8 382Perform an incremental link (same as option @samp{-r}).
f22eee08 383
2c5c0674 384@cindex archive files, from cmd line
de87cdb4 385@kindex -l@var{archive}
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386@kindex --library=@var{archive}
387@item -l@var{archive}
388@itemx --library=@var{archive}
389Add archive file @var{archive} to the list of files to link. This
f22eee08 390option may be used any number of times. @code{ld} will search its
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391path-list for occurrences of @code{lib@var{archive}.a} for every
392@var{archive} specified. File extensions other than @code{.a} may be
393used on certain systems.
f22eee08 394
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395The linker will search an archive only once, at the location where it is
396specified on the command line. If the archive defines a symbol which
397was undefined in some object which appeared before the archive on the
398command line, the linker will include the appropriate file(s) from the
399archive. However, an undefined symbol in an object appearing later on
400the command line will not cause the linker to search the archive again.
401
402See the @code{-(} option for a way to force the linker to search
403archives multiple times.
404
405You may list the same archive multiple times on the command line.
406
407@ifset GENERIC
408This type of archive searching is standard for Unix linkers. However,
409if you are using @code{ld} on AIX, note that it is different from the
410behaviour of the AIX linker.
411@end ifset
412
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413@cindex search directory, from cmd line
414@kindex -L@var{dir}
67afbcea 415@kindex --library-path=@var{dir}
b4d4e8e3 416@item -L@var{searchdir}
67afbcea 417@itemx --library-path=@var{searchdir}
ec40bbb8 418Add path @var{searchdir} to the list of paths that @code{ld} will search
8ddef552 419for archive libraries and @code{ld} control scripts. You may use this
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420option any number of times. The directories are searched in the order
421in which they are specified on the command line. Directories specified
422on the command line are searched before the default directories. All
423@code{-L} options apply to all @code{-l} options, regardless of the
424order in which the options appear.
f22eee08 425
ec40bbb8 426@ifset UsesEnvVars
2c5c0674 427The default set of paths searched (without being specified with
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428@samp{-L}) depends on which emulation mode @code{ld} is using, and in
429some cases also on how it was configured. @xref{Environment}.
430@end ifset
431
432The paths can also be specified in a link script with the
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433@code{SEARCH_DIR} command. Directories specified this way are searched
434at the point in which the linker script appears in the command line.
f22eee08 435
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436@cindex emulation
437@kindex -m @var{emulation}
438@item -m@var{emulation}
8ddef552 439Emulate the @var{emulation} linker. You can list the available
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440emulations with the @samp{--verbose} or @samp{-V} options. The default
441depends on how your @code{ld} was configured.
8ddef552 442
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443@cindex link map
444@kindex -M
445@kindex --print-map
446@item -M
447@itemx --print-map
448Print (to the standard output) a link map---diagnostic information about
449where symbols are mapped by @code{ld}, and information on global common
450storage allocation.
451
452@kindex -n
453@cindex read-only text
454@cindex NMAGIC
455@kindex --nmagic
456@item -n
457@itemx --nmagic
458Set the text segment to be read only, and mark the output as
459@code{NMAGIC} if possible.
460
2c5c0674 461@kindex -N
67afbcea 462@kindex --omagic
2c5c0674 463@cindex read/write from cmd line
67afbcea 464@cindex OMAGIC
f22eee08 465@item -N
67afbcea 466@itemx --omagic
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467Set the text and data sections to be readable and writable. Also, do
468not page-align the data segment. If the output format supports Unix
469style magic numbers, mark the output as @code{OMAGIC}.
f22eee08 470
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471@kindex -o @var{output}
472@kindex --output=@var{output}
473@cindex naming the output file
474@item -o @var{output}
475@itemx --output=@var{output}
476Use @var{output} as the name for the program produced by @code{ld}; if this
477option is not specified, the name @file{a.out} is used by default. The
478script command @code{OUTPUT} can also specify the output file name.
f22eee08 479
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480@cindex partial link
481@cindex relocatable output
482@kindex -r
483@kindex --relocateable
484@item -r
485@itemx --relocateable
486Generate relocatable output---i.e., generate an output file that can in
487turn serve as input to @code{ld}. This is often called @dfn{partial
488linking}. As a side effect, in environments that support standard Unix
489magic numbers, this option also sets the output file's magic number to
490@code{OMAGIC}.
491@c ; see @code{-N}.
492If this option is not specified, an absolute file is produced. When
493linking C++ programs, this option @emph{will not} resolve references to
494constructors; to do that, use @samp{-Ur}.
495
496This option does the same thing as @samp{-i}.
497
498@kindex -R @var{file}
499@kindex --just-symbols=@var{file}
500@cindex symbol-only input
501@item -R @var{filename}
502@itemx --just-symbols=@var{filename}
503Read symbol names and their addresses from @var{filename}, but do not
504relocate it or include it in the output. This allows your output file
505to refer symbolically to absolute locations of memory defined in other
506programs. You may use this option more than once.
507
508For compatibility with other ELF linkers, if the @code{-R} option is
509followed by a directory name, rather than a file name, it is treated as
510the @code{-rpath} option.
511
512@kindex -s
513@kindex --strip-all
514@cindex strip all symbols
515@item -s
516@itemx --strip-all
517Omit all symbol information from the output file.
518
519@kindex -S
520@kindex --strip-debug
521@cindex strip debugger symbols
522@item -S
523@itemx --strip-debug
524Omit debugger symbol information (but not all symbols) from the output file.
525
526@kindex -t
527@kindex --trace
528@cindex input files, displaying
529@item -t
530@itemx --trace
531Print the names of the input files as @code{ld} processes them.
532
533@kindex -T @var{script}
534@kindex --script=@var{script}
535@cindex script files
536@item -T @var{commandfile}
537@itemx --script=@var{commandfile}
538Read link commands from the file @var{commandfile}. These commands
539replace @code{ld}'s default link script (rather than adding
540to it), so @var{commandfile} must specify everything necessary to describe
541the target format. @xref{Commands}. If @var{commandfile} does not
542exist, @code{ld} looks for it in the directories specified by any
543preceding @samp{-L} options. Multiple @samp{-T} options accumulate.
544
545@kindex -u @var{symbol}
546@kindex --undefined=@var{symbol}
547@cindex undefined symbol
548@item -u @var{symbol}
549@itemx --undefined=@var{symbol}
550Force @var{symbol} to be entered in the output file as an undefined symbol.
551Doing this may, for example, trigger linking of additional modules from
552standard libraries. @samp{-u} may be repeated with different option
553arguments to enter additional undefined symbols.
554@c Nice idea, but no such command: This option is equivalent
555@c to the @code{EXTERN} linker command.
556
557@kindex -v
558@kindex -V
559@kindex --version
560@cindex version
561@item -v
562@itemx --version
563@itemx -V
564Display the version number for @code{ld}. The @code{-V} option also
565lists the supported emulations.
566
567@kindex -x
568@kindex --discard-all
569@cindex deleting local symbols
570@item -x
571@itemx --discard-all
572Delete all local symbols.
573
574@kindex -X
575@kindex --discard-locals
576@cindex local symbols, deleting
577@cindex L, deleting symbols beginning
578@item -X
579@itemx --discard-locals
580Delete all temporary local symbols. For most targets, this is all local
581symbols whose names begin with @samp{L}.
582
583@kindex -y @var{symbol}
584@kindex --trace-symbol=@var{symbol}
585@cindex symbol tracing
586@item -y @var{symbol}
587@itemx --trace-symbol=@var{symbol}
588Print the name of each linked file in which @var{symbol} appears. This
589option may be given any number of times. On many systems it is necessary
590to prepend an underscore.
591
592This option is useful when you have an undefined symbol in your link but
593don't know where the reference is coming from.
594
595@kindex -Y @var{path}
596@item -Y @var{path}
597Add @var{path} to the default library search path. This option exists
598for Solaris compatibility.
599
600@kindex -z @var{keyword}
601@item -z @var{keyword}
602This option is ignored for Solaris compatibility.
603
604@kindex -(
605@cindex groups of archives
606@item -( @var{archives} -)
607@itemx --start-group @var{archives} --end-group
608The @var{archives} should be a list of archive files. They may be
609either explicit file names, or @samp{-l} options.
610
611The specified archives are searched repeatedly until no new undefined
612references are created. Normally, an archive is searched only once in
613the order that it is specified on the command line. If a symbol in that
614archive is needed to resolve an undefined symbol referred to by an
615object in an archive that appears later on the command line, the linker
616would not be able to resolve that reference. By grouping the archives,
617they all be searched repeatedly until all possible references are
618resolved.
619
620Using this option has a significant performance cost. It is best to use
621it only when there are unavoidable circular references between two or
622more archives.
623
624@kindex -assert @var{keyword}
625@item -assert @var{keyword}
626This option is ignored for SunOS compatibility.
627
628@kindex -Bdynamic
629@kindex -dy
630@kindex -call_shared
631@item -Bdynamic
632@itemx -dy
633@itemx -call_shared
634Link against dynamic libraries. This is only meaningful on platforms
635for which shared libraries are supported. This option is normally the
636default on such platforms. The different variants of this option are
637for compatibility with various systems. You may use this option
638multiple times on the command line: it affects library searching for
639@code{-l} options which follow it.
640
641@kindex -Bstatic
642@kindex -dn
643@kindex -non_shared
644@kindex -static
645@item -Bstatic
646@itemx -dn
647@itemx -non_shared
648@itemx -static
649Do not link against shared libraries. This is only meaningful on
650platforms for which shared libraries are supported. The different
651variants of this option are for compatibility with various systems. You
652may use this option multiple times on the command line: it affects
653library searching for @code{-l} options which follow it.
654
655@kindex -Bsymbolic
656@item -Bsymbolic
657When creating a shared library, bind references to global symbols to the
658definition within the shared library, if any. Normally, it is possible
659for a program linked against a shared library to override the definition
660within the shared library. This option is only meaningful on ELF
661platforms which support shared libraries.
662
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663@cindex cross reference table
664@kindex --cref
665@item --cref
666Output a cross reference table. If a linker map file is being
667generated, the cross reference table is printed to the map file.
668Otherwise, it is printed on the standard output.
669
670The format of the table is intentionally simple, so that it may be
671easily processed by a script if necessary. The symbols are printed out,
672sorted by name. For each symbol, a list of file names is given. If the
673symbol is defined, the first file listed is the location of the
674definition. The remaining files contain references to the symbol.
675
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676@cindex symbols, from command line
677@kindex --defsym @var{symbol}=@var{exp}
678@item --defsym @var{symbol}=@var{expression}
679Create a global symbol in the output file, containing the absolute
680address given by @var{expression}. You may use this option as many
681times as necessary to define multiple symbols in the command line. A
682limited form of arithmetic is supported for the @var{expression} in this
683context: you may give a hexadecimal constant or the name of an existing
684symbol, or use @code{+} and @code{-} to add or subtract hexadecimal
685constants or symbols. If you need more elaborate expressions, consider
686using the linker command language from a script (@pxref{Assignment, ,
687Assignment: Symbol Definitions}). @emph{Note:} there should be no
688white space between @var{symbol}, the equals sign (``@key{=}''), and
689@var{expression}.
690
691@cindex dynamic linker, from command line
692@kindex --dynamic-linker @var{file}
693@item --dynamic-linker @var{file}
694Set the name of the dynamic linker. This is only meaningful when
695generating dynamically linked ELF executables. The default dynamic
696linker is normally correct; don't use this unless you know what you are
697doing.
698
699@cindex big-endian objects
700@cindex endianness
701@kindex -EB
702@item -EB
703Link big-endian objects. This affects the default output format.
704
705@cindex little-endian objects
706@kindex -EL
707@item -EL
708Link little-endian objects. This affects the default output format.
709
710@cindex MIPS embedded PIC code
711@kindex -embedded-relocs
712@item -embedded-relocs
713This option is only meaningful when linking MIPS embedded PIC code,
714generated by the -membedded-pic option to the @sc{gnu} compiler and
715assembler. It causes the linker to create a table which may be used at
716runtime to relocate any data which was statically initialized to pointer
717values. See the code in testsuite/ld-empic for details.
718
719@cindex help
720@cindex usage
721@kindex --help
722@item --help
723Print a summary of the command-line options on the standard output and exit.
724
725@cindex link map
726@kindex -Map
727@item -Map @var{mapfile}
728Print to the file @var{mapfile} a link map---diagnostic information
729about where symbols are mapped by @code{ld}, and information on global
730common storage allocation.
b4d4e8e3 731
4551e108 732@cindex memory usage
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733@kindex --no-keep-memory
734@item --no-keep-memory
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735@code{ld} normally optimizes for speed over memory usage by caching the
736symbol tables of input files in memory. This option tells @code{ld} to
737instead optimize for memory usage, by rereading the symbol tables as
738necessary. This may be required if @code{ld} runs out of memory space
739while linking a large executable.
740
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DE
741@kindex --no-whole-archive
742@item --no-whole-archive
743Turn off the effect of the @code{--whole-archive} option for subsequent
744archive files.
745
746@cindex output file after errors
747@kindex --noinhibit-exec
748@item --noinhibit-exec
749Retain the executable output file whenever it is still usable.
750Normally, the linker will not produce an output file if it encounters
751errors during the link process; it exits without writing an output file
752when it issues any error whatsoever.
f22eee08 753
7f9ae73e 754@ifclear SingleFormat
346535cc
DM
755@kindex -oformat
756@item -oformat @var{output-format}
1fb57a5d
RP
757@code{ld} may be configured to support more than one kind of object
758file. If your @code{ld} is configured this way, you can use the
759@samp{-oformat} option to specify the binary format for the output
760object file. Even when @code{ld} is configured to support alternative
761object formats, you don't usually need to specify this, as @code{ld}
762should be configured to produce as a default output format the most
763usual format on each machine. @var{output-format} is a text string, the
764name of a particular format supported by the BFD libraries. (You can
765list the available binary formats with @samp{objdump -i}.) The script
766command @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT} can also specify the output format, but
767this option overrides it. @xref{BFD}.
7f9ae73e 768@end ifclear
346535cc 769
67afbcea
DE
770@kindex -qmagic
771@item -qmagic
772This option is ignored for Linux compatibility.
c653b370 773
67afbcea
DE
774@kindex -Qy
775@item -Qy
776This option is ignored for SVR4 compatibility.
c653b370 777
67afbcea 778@kindex --relax
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RP
779@cindex synthesizing linker
780@cindex relaxing addressing modes
67afbcea 781@item --relax
1fb57a5d
RP
782An option with machine dependent effects.
783@ifset GENERIC
67afbcea 784This option is only supported on a few targets.
1fb57a5d 785@end ifset
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DM
786@ifset H8300
787@xref{H8/300,,@code{ld} and the H8/300}.
788@end ifset
1fb57a5d
RP
789@ifset I960
790@xref{i960,, @code{ld} and the Intel 960 family}.
791@end ifset
1c48127e 792
67afbcea
DE
793On some platforms, the @samp{--relax} option performs global
794optimizations that become possible when the linker resolves addressing
795in the program, such as relaxing address modes and synthesizing new
796instructions in the output object file.
1c48127e 797
1fb57a5d 798@ifset GENERIC
1c48127e 799On platforms where this is not supported, @samp{-relax} is accepted, but
ec40bbb8 800ignored.
1fb57a5d 801@end ifset
1c48127e 802
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RP
803@cindex retaining specified symbols
804@cindex stripping all but some symbols
805@cindex symbols, retaining selectively
67afbcea 806@item --retain-symbols-file @var{filename}
7c8fab26
RP
807Retain @emph{only} the symbols listed in the file @var{filename},
808discarding all others. @var{filename} is simply a flat file, with one
809symbol name per line. This option is especially useful in environments
810@ifset GENERIC
811(such as VxWorks)
812@end ifset
813where a large global symbol table is accumulated gradually, to conserve
814run-time memory.
815
816@samp{-retain-symbols-file} does @emph{not} discard undefined symbols,
817or symbols needed for relocations.
818
819You may only specify @samp{-retain-symbols-file} once in the command
820line. It overrides @samp{-s} and @samp{-S}.
821
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822@ifset GENERIC
823@item -rpath @var{dir}
824@cindex runtime library search path
825@kindex -rpath
0b0642d6
ILT
826Add a directory to the runtime library search path. This is used when
827linking an ELF executable with shared objects. All @code{-rpath}
828arguments are concatenated and passed to the runtime linker, which uses
e54bf1c1
ILT
829them to locate shared objects at runtime. The @code{-rpath} option is
830also used when locating shared objects which are needed by shared
831objects explicitly included in the link; see the description of the
c653b370
ILT
832@code{-rpath-link} option. If @code{-rpath} is not used when linking an
833ELF executable, the contents of the environment variable
834@code{LD_RUN_PATH} will be used if it is defined.
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ILT
835
836The @code{-rpath} option may also be used on SunOS. By default, on
837SunOS, the linker will form a runtime search patch out of all the
e54bf1c1 838@code{-L} options it is given. If a @code{-rpath} option is used, the
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ILT
839runtime search path will be formed exclusively using the @code{-rpath}
840options, ignoring the @code{-L} options. This can be useful when using
841gcc, which adds many @code{-L} options which may be on NFS mounted
842filesystems.
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ILT
843
844For compatibility with other ELF linkers, if the @code{-R} option is
845followed by a directory name, rather than a file name, it is treated as
846the @code{-rpath} option.
a1ad915d
ILT
847@end ifset
848
e54bf1c1
ILT
849@ifset GENERIC
850@cindex link-time runtime library search path
851@kindex -rpath-link
852@item -rpath-link @var{DIR}
853When using ELF or SunOS, one shared library may require another. This
854happens when an @code{ld -shared} link includes a shared library as one
855of the input files.
856
857When the linker encounters such a dependency when doing a non-shared,
858non-relocateable link, it will automatically try to locate the required
859shared library and include it in the link, if it is not included
860explicitly. In such a case, the @code{-rpath-link} option
861specifies the first set of directories to search. The
862@code{-rpath-link} option may specify a sequence of directory names
863either by specifying a list of names separated by colons, or by
864appearing multiple times.
865
866The linker uses the following search paths to locate required shared
867libraries.
868@enumerate
869@item
870Any directories specified by @code{-rpath-link} options.
871@item
872Any directories specified by @code{-rpath} options. The difference
873between @code{-rpath} and @code{-rpath-link} is that directories
874specified by @code{-rpath} options are included in the executable and
875used at runtime, whereas the @code{-rpath-link} option is only effective
876at link time.
877@item
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878On an ELF system, if the @code{-rpath} and @code{rpath-link} options
879were not used, search the contents of the environment variable
880@code{LD_RUN_PATH}.
881@item
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ILT
882On SunOS, if the @code{-rpath} option was not used, search any
883directories specified using @code{-L} options.
884@item
885For a native linker, the contents of the environment variable
886@code{LD_LIBRARY_PATH}.
887@item
888The default directories, normally @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib}.
889@end enumerate
890
891If the required shared library is not found, the linker will issue a
892warning and continue with the link.
893@end ifset
894
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DE
895@kindex -shared
896@kindex -Bshareable
4551e108 897@item -shared
67afbcea 898@itemx -Bshareable
4551e108 899@cindex shared libraries
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DE
900Create a shared library. This is currently only supported on ELF, XCOFF
901and SunOS platforms. On SunOS, the linker will automatically create a
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ILT
902shared library if the @code{-e} option is not used and there are
903undefined symbols in the link.
4551e108 904
67afbcea
DE
905@item --sort-common
906@kindex --sort-common
907This option tells @code{ld} to sort the common symbols by size when it
908places them in the appropriate output sections. First come all the one
909byte symbols, then all the two bytes, then all the four bytes, and then
910everything else. This is to prevent gaps between symbols due to
911alignment constraints.
912
913@kindex --split-by-file
914@item --split-by-file
915Similar to @code{--split-by-reloc} but creates a new output section for
916each input file.
917
918@kindex --split-by-reloc
919@item --split-by-reloc @var{count}
920Trys to creates extra sections in the output file so that no single
921output section in the file contains more than @var{count} relocations.
922This is useful when generating huge relocatable for downloading into
923certain real time kernels with the COFF object file format; since COFF
924cannot represent more than 65535 relocations in a single section. Note
925that this will fail to work with object file formats which do not
926support arbitrary sections. The linker will not split up individual
927input sections for redistribution, so if a single input section contains
01bc8f35
ILT
928more than @var{count} relocations one output section will contain that
929many relocations.
930
67afbcea
DE
931@kindex --stats
932@item --stats
933Compute and display statistics about the operation of the linker, such
934as execution time and memory usage.
f22eee08 935
c96386c4
ILT
936@kindex -traditional-format
937@cindex traditional format
938@item -traditional-format
939For some targets, the output of @code{ld} is different in some ways from
940the output of some existing linker. This switch requests @code{ld} to
941use the traditional format instead.
942
943@cindex dbx
944For example, on SunOS, @code{ld} combines duplicate entries in the
945symbol string table. This can reduce the size of an output file with
946full debugging information by over 30 percent. Unfortunately, the SunOS
947@code{dbx} program can not read the resulting program (@code{gdb} has no
948trouble). The @samp{-traditional-format} switch tells @code{ld} to not
949combine duplicate entries.
950
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DE
951@kindex -Tbss @var{org}
952@kindex -Tdata @var{org}
953@kindex -Ttext @var{org}
954@cindex segment origins, cmd line
955@item -Tbss @var{org}
956@itemx -Tdata @var{org}
957@itemx -Ttext @var{org}
958Use @var{org} as the starting address for---respectively---the
959@code{bss}, @code{data}, or the @code{text} segment of the output file.
960@var{org} must be a single hexadecimal integer;
961for compatibility with other linkers, you may omit the leading
962@samp{0x} usually associated with hexadecimal values.
f22eee08 963
2c5c0674 964@kindex -Ur
b4d4e8e3 965@cindex constructors
d4e5e3c3 966@item -Ur
b4d4e8e3 967For anything other than C++ programs, this option is equivalent to
ec40bbb8
DM
968@samp{-r}: it generates relocatable output---i.e., an output file that can in
969turn serve as input to @code{ld}. When linking C++ programs, @samp{-Ur}
1fb57a5d 970@emph{does} resolve references to constructors, unlike @samp{-r}.
3e27cc11 971It does not work to use @samp{-Ur} on files that were themselves linked
1fb57a5d 972with @samp{-Ur}; once the constructor table has been built, it cannot
3e27cc11
DM
973be added to. Use @samp{-Ur} only for the last partial link, and
974@samp{-r} for the others.
b4d4e8e3 975
01bc8f35 976@kindex --verbose
cf2e4f5f 977@cindex verbose
01bc8f35 978@item --verbose
1fb57a5d 979Display the version number for @code{ld} and list the linker emulations
cf2e4f5f
ILT
980supported. Display which input files can and cannot be opened. Display
981the linker script if using a default builtin script.
8ddef552 982
7f9ae73e
RP
983@kindex -warn-comon
984@cindex warnings, on combining symbols
985@cindex combining symbols, warnings on
c653b370 986@item -warn-common
2a28d8b0
DM
987Warn when a common symbol is combined with another common symbol or with
988a symbol definition. Unix linkers allow this somewhat sloppy practice,
989but linkers on some other operating systems do not. This option allows
990you to find potential problems from combining global symbols.
1cd4cca9
DM
991Unfortunately, some C libraries use this practice, so you may get some
992warnings about symbols in the libraries as well as in your programs.
2a28d8b0
DM
993
994There are three kinds of global symbols, illustrated here by C examples:
995
996@table @samp
997@item int i = 1;
998A definition, which goes in the initialized data section of the output
999file.
1000
1001@item extern int i;
1002An undefined reference, which does not allocate space.
1003There must be either a definition or a common symbol for the
1004variable somewhere.
1005
1006@item int i;
1007A common symbol. If there are only (one or more) common symbols for a
1008variable, it goes in the uninitialized data area of the output file.
1009The linker merges multiple common symbols for the same variable into a
1010single symbol. If they are of different sizes, it picks the largest
1011size. The linker turns a common symbol into a declaration, if there is
1012a definition of the same variable.
1013@end table
1014
1015The @samp{-warn-common} option can produce five kinds of warnings. Each
1016warning consists of a pair of lines: the first describes the symbol just
1017encountered, and the second describes the previous symbol encountered
1018with the same name. One or both of the two symbols will be a common
1019symbol.
1020
1021@enumerate
1022@item
1023Turning a common symbol into a reference, because there is already a
1024definition for the symbol.
1025@smallexample
8920addc
RP
1026@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: common of `@var{symbol}'
1027 overridden by definition
2a28d8b0
DM
1028@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: defined here
1029@end smallexample
1030
1031@item
1032Turning a common symbol into a reference, because a later definition for
1033the symbol is encountered. This is the same as the previous case,
1034except that the symbols are encountered in a different order.
1035@smallexample
8920addc
RP
1036@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: definition of `@var{symbol}'
1037 overriding common
2a28d8b0
DM
1038@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: common is here
1039@end smallexample
1040
1041@item
1042Merging a common symbol with a previous same-sized common symbol.
1043@smallexample
8920addc
RP
1044@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: multiple common
1045 of `@var{symbol}'
2a28d8b0
DM
1046@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: previous common is here
1047@end smallexample
1048
1049@item
1050Merging a common symbol with a previous larger common symbol.
1051@smallexample
8920addc
RP
1052@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: common of `@var{symbol}'
1053 overridden by larger common
2a28d8b0
DM
1054@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: larger common is here
1055@end smallexample
1056
1057@item
1058Merging a common symbol with a previous smaller common symbol. This is
1059the same as the previous case, except that the symbols are
1060encountered in a different order.
1061@smallexample
8920addc
RP
1062@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: common of `@var{symbol}'
1063 overriding smaller common
2a28d8b0
DM
1064@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: smaller common is here
1065@end smallexample
1066@end enumerate
1067
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ILT
1068@kindex -warn-constructors
1069@item -warn-constructors
1070Warn if any global constructors are used. This is only useful for a few
1071object file formats. For formats like COFF or ELF, the linker can not
1072detect the use of global constructors.
1073
4b7d2399
ILT
1074@kindex -warn-multiple-gp
1075@item -warn-multiple-gp
1076Warn if multiple global pointer values are required in the output file.
1077This is only meaningful for certain processors, such as the Alpha.
1078Specifically, some processors put large-valued constants in a special
1079section. A special register (the global pointer) points into the middle
1080of this section, so that constants can be loaded efficiently via a
1081base-register relative addressing mode. Since the offset in
1082base-register relative mode is fixed and relatively small (e.g., 16
1083bits), this limits the maximum size of the constant pool. Thus, in
1084large programs, it is often necessary to use multiple global pointer
1085values in order to be able to address all possible constants. This
1086option causes a warning to be issued whenever this case occurs.
1087
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ILT
1088@kindex -warn-once
1089@cindex warnings, on undefined symbols
1090@cindex undefined symbols, warnings on
1091@item -warn-once
1092Only warn once for each undefined symbol, rather than once per module
1093which refers to it.
1094
4551e108
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1095@kindex --whole-archive
1096@cindex including an entire archive
4b7d2399 1097@item --whole-archive
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ILT
1098For each archive mentioned on the command line after the
1099@code{--whole-archive} option, include every object file in the archive
1100in the link, rather than searching the archive for the required object
1101files. This is normally used to turn an archive file into a shared
1102library, forcing every object to be included in the resulting shared
67afbcea 1103library. This option may be used more than once.
4551e108 1104
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ILT
1105@kindex --wrap
1106@item --wrap @var{symbol}
1107Use a wrapper function for @var{symbol}. Any undefined reference to
1108@var{symbol} will be resolved to @code{__wrap_@var{symbol}}. Any
1109undefined reference to @code{__real_@var{symbol}} will be resolved to
1110@var{symbol}.
1111
1112This can be used to provide a wrapper for a system function. The
1113wrapper function should be called @code{__wrap_@var{symbol}}. If it
1114wishes to call the system function, it should call
1115@code{__real_@var{symbol}}.
1116
1117Here is a trivial example:
1118
1119@smallexample
1120void *
1121__wrap_malloc (int c)
1122@{
1123 printf ("malloc called with %ld\n", c);
1124 return __real_malloc (c);
1125@}
1126@end smallexample
1127
1128If you link other code with this file using @code{--wrap malloc}, then
1129all calls to @code{malloc} will call the function @code{__wrap_malloc}
1130instead. The call to @code{__real_malloc} in @code{__wrap_malloc} will
1131call the real @code{malloc} function.
1132
1133You may wish to provide a @code{__real_malloc} function as well, so that
1134links without the @code{--wrap} option will succeed. If you do this,
1135you should not put the definition of @code{__real_malloc} in the same
1136file as @code{__wrap_malloc}; if you do, the assembler may resolve the
1137call before the linker has a chance to wrap it to @code{malloc}.
1138
f22eee08 1139@end table
b4d4e8e3 1140
ec40bbb8
DM
1141@ifset UsesEnvVars
1142@node Environment
2c5c0674
RP
1143@section Environment Variables
1144
d76ae847
RP
1145You can change the behavior of @code{ld} with the environment
1146variable @code{GNUTARGET}.
2c5c0674
RP
1147
1148@kindex GNUTARGET
1149@cindex default input format
1150@code{GNUTARGET} determines the input-file object format if you don't
ec40bbb8 1151use @samp{-b} (or its synonym @samp{-format}). Its value should be one
2c5c0674 1152of the BFD names for an input format (@pxref{BFD}). If there is no
246504a5 1153@code{GNUTARGET} in the environment, @code{ld} uses the natural format
8920addc 1154of the target. If @code{GNUTARGET} is set to @code{default} then BFD attempts to discover the
2c5c0674
RP
1155input format by examining binary input files; this method often
1156succeeds, but there are potential ambiguities, since there is no method
ec40bbb8 1157of ensuring that the magic number used to specify object-file formats is
2c5c0674
RP
1158unique. However, the configuration procedure for BFD on each system
1159places the conventional format for that system first in the search-list,
1160so ambiguities are resolved in favor of convention.
ec40bbb8 1161@end ifset
2c5c0674 1162
ec40bbb8 1163@node Commands
2c5c0674 1164@chapter Command Language
f22eee08 1165
2c5c0674 1166@cindex command files
ec40bbb8 1167The command language provides explicit control over the link process,
b4d4e8e3 1168allowing complete specification of the mapping between the linker's
ec40bbb8 1169input files and its output. It controls:
b4d4e8e3 1170@itemize @bullet
2c5c0674
RP
1171@item
1172input files
1173@item
1174file formats
1175@item
867a1b8a 1176output file layout
2c5c0674
RP
1177@item
1178addresses of sections
1179@item
1180placement of common blocks
b4d4e8e3 1181@end itemize
f22eee08 1182
2c5c0674 1183You may supply a command file (also known as a link script) to the
ec40bbb8 1184linker either explicitly through the @samp{-T} option, or implicitly as
2c5c0674 1185an ordinary file. If the linker opens a file which it cannot recognize
867a1b8a 1186as a supported object or archive format, it reports an error.
2c5c0674 1187
2c5c0674 1188@menu
2d59b2c3
RP
1189* Scripts:: Linker Scripts
1190* Expressions:: Expressions
1191* MEMORY:: MEMORY Command
1192* SECTIONS:: SECTIONS Command
c653b370 1193* PHDRS:: PHDRS Command
2d59b2c3 1194* Entry Point:: The Entry Point
867a1b8a 1195* Option Commands:: Option Commands
2c5c0674
RP
1196@end menu
1197
ec40bbb8 1198@node Scripts
b4d4e8e3 1199@section Linker Scripts
246504a5 1200The @code{ld} command language is a collection of statements; some are
ec40bbb8
DM
1201simple keywords setting a particular option, some are used to select and
1202group input files or name output files; and two statement
b4d4e8e3
RP
1203types have a fundamental and pervasive impact on the linking process.
1204
2c5c0674
RP
1205@cindex fundamental script commands
1206@cindex commands, fundamental
1207@cindex output file layout
1208@cindex layout of output file
246504a5 1209The most fundamental command of the @code{ld} command language is the
b4d4e8e3
RP
1210@code{SECTIONS} command (@pxref{SECTIONS}). Every meaningful command
1211script must have a @code{SECTIONS} command: it specifies a
1212``picture'' of the output file's layout, in varying degrees of detail.
1213No other command is required in all cases.
1214
1215The @code{MEMORY} command complements @code{SECTIONS} by describing the
2c5c0674 1216available memory in the target architecture. This command is optional;
246504a5 1217if you don't use a @code{MEMORY} command, @code{ld} assumes sufficient
2c5c0674
RP
1218memory is available in a contiguous block for all output.
1219@xref{MEMORY}.
b4d4e8e3 1220
2c5c0674
RP
1221@cindex comments
1222You may include comments in linker scripts just as in C: delimited
1223by @samp{/*} and @samp{*/}. As in C, comments are syntactically
1224equivalent to whitespace.
1225
ec40bbb8 1226@node Expressions
f22eee08 1227@section Expressions
2c5c0674
RP
1228@cindex expression syntax
1229@cindex arithmetic
b4d4e8e3
RP
1230Many useful commands involve arithmetic expressions. The syntax for
1231expressions in the command language is identical to that of C
1232expressions, with the following features:
1233@itemize @bullet
2c5c0674
RP
1234@item
1235All expressions evaluated as integers and
f22eee08 1236are of ``long'' or ``unsigned long'' type.
2c5c0674
RP
1237@item
1238All constants are integers.
1239@item
1240All of the C arithmetic operators are provided.
1241@item
1242You may reference, define, and create global variables.
1243@item
1244You may call special purpose built-in functions.
b4d4e8e3 1245@end itemize
f22eee08 1246
2c5c0674 1247@menu
2d59b2c3
RP
1248* Integers:: Integers
1249* Symbols:: Symbol Names
1250* Location Counter:: The Location Counter
1251* Operators:: Operators
1252* Evaluation:: Evaluation
1253* Assignment:: Assignment: Defining Symbols
867a1b8a 1254* Arithmetic Functions:: Built-In Functions
67afbcea 1255* Semicolons:: Semicolon Usage
2c5c0674
RP
1256@end menu
1257
ec40bbb8 1258@node Integers
f22eee08 1259@subsection Integers
2c5c0674
RP
1260@cindex integer notation
1261@cindex octal integers
f22eee08
RP
1262An octal integer is @samp{0} followed by zero or more of the octal
1263digits (@samp{01234567}).
c653b370 1264@smallexample
2c5c0674 1265_as_octal = 0157255;
c653b370 1266@end smallexample
f22eee08 1267
2c5c0674 1268@cindex decimal integers
f22eee08
RP
1269A decimal integer starts with a non-zero digit followed by zero or
1270more digits (@samp{0123456789}).
c653b370 1271@smallexample
2c5c0674 1272_as_decimal = 57005;
c653b370 1273@end smallexample
f22eee08 1274
2c5c0674
RP
1275@cindex hexadecimal integers
1276@kindex 0x
f22eee08
RP
1277A hexadecimal integer is @samp{0x} or @samp{0X} followed by one or
1278more hexadecimal digits chosen from @samp{0123456789abcdefABCDEF}.
c653b370 1279@smallexample
b4d4e8e3 1280_as_hex = 0xdead;
c653b370 1281@end smallexample
f22eee08 1282
2c5c0674 1283@cindex negative integers
ec40bbb8 1284To write a negative integer, use
baaaf6f2 1285the prefix operator @samp{-} (@pxref{Operators}).
c653b370 1286@smallexample
b4d4e8e3 1287_as_neg = -57005;
c653b370 1288@end smallexample
f22eee08 1289
2c5c0674
RP
1290@cindex scaled integers
1291@cindex K and M integer suffixes
1292@cindex M and K integer suffixes
1293@cindex suffixes for integers
1294@cindex integer suffixes
b4d4e8e3
RP
1295Additionally the suffixes @code{K} and @code{M} may be used to scale a
1296constant by
c8072296
RP
1297@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
1298@ifinfo
1299@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
1300@code{1024} or @code{1024*1024}
1301@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
1302@end ifinfo
f22eee08 1303@tex
b4d4e8e3 1304${\rm 1024}$ or ${\rm 1024}^2$
f22eee08 1305@end tex
c8072296 1306@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
ec40bbb8 1307respectively. For example, the following all refer to the same quantity:
f22eee08 1308
c653b370 1309@smallexample
2c5c0674
RP
1310 _fourk_1 = 4K;
1311 _fourk_2 = 4096;
1312 _fourk_3 = 0x1000;
c653b370 1313@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3 1314
ec40bbb8 1315@node Symbols
b4d4e8e3 1316@subsection Symbol Names
2c5c0674
RP
1317@cindex symbol names
1318@cindex names
1319@cindex quoted symbol names
1320@kindex "
1fb57a5d
RP
1321Unless quoted, symbol names start with a letter, underscore, or point
1322and may include any letters, underscores, digits, points,
1323and hyphens. Unquoted symbol names must not conflict with any
b4d4e8e3
RP
1324keywords. You can specify a symbol which contains odd characters or has
1325the same name as a keyword, by surrounding the symbol name in double quotes:
c653b370 1326@smallexample
b4d4e8e3
RP
1327 "SECTION" = 9;
1328 "with a space" = "also with a space" + 10;
c653b370 1329@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3 1330
1fb57a5d
RP
1331Since symbols can contain many non-alphabetic characters, it is safest
1332to delimit symbols with spaces. For example, @samp{A-B} is one symbol,
1333whereas @samp{A - B} is an expression involving subtraction.
1334
ec40bbb8 1335@node Location Counter
b4d4e8e3 1336@subsection The Location Counter
2c5c0674
RP
1337@kindex .
1338@cindex dot
1339@cindex location counter
1340@cindex current output location
b4d4e8e3
RP
1341The special linker variable @dfn{dot} @samp{.} always contains the
1342current output location counter. Since the @code{.} always refers to
1343a location in an output section, it must always appear in an
1344expression within a @code{SECTIONS} command. The @code{.} symbol
1345may appear anywhere that an ordinary symbol is allowed in an
1346expression, but its assignments have a side effect. Assigning a value
1347to the @code{.} symbol will cause the location counter to be moved.
2c5c0674 1348@cindex holes
b4d4e8e3
RP
1349This may be used to create holes in the output section. The location
1350counter may never be moved backwards.
c653b370 1351@smallexample
2c5c0674
RP
1352SECTIONS
1353@{
d4e5e3c3
DM
1354 output :
1355 @{
1356 file1(.text)
1357 . = . + 1000;
1358 file2(.text)
1359 . += 1000;
1360 file3(.text)
1361 @} = 0x1234;
2c5c0674 1362@}
c653b370 1363@end smallexample
2c5c0674
RP
1364@noindent
1365In the previous example, @code{file1} is located at the beginning of the
1366output section, then there is a 1000 byte gap. Then @code{file2}
1367appears, also with a 1000 byte gap following before @code{file3} is
1368loaded. The notation @samp{= 0x1234} specifies what data to write in
1369the gaps (@pxref{Section Options}).
b4d4e8e3 1370
d4e5e3c3
DM
1371@iftex
1372@vfill
1373@end iftex
1374
c653b370 1375@need 2000
ec40bbb8 1376@node Operators
f22eee08 1377@subsection Operators
2c5c0674
RP
1378@cindex Operators for arithmetic
1379@cindex arithmetic operators
1380@cindex precedence in expressions
b4d4e8e3 1381The linker recognizes the standard C set of arithmetic operators, with
f22eee08 1382the standard bindings and precedence levels:
c8072296 1383@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
b4d4e8e3 1384@ifinfo
c8072296 1385@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
c653b370 1386@smallexample
c8072296 1387precedence associativity Operators Notes
b4d4e8e3 1388(highest)
c8072296
RP
13891 left ! - ~ (1)
13902 left * / %
13913 left + -
13924 left >> <<
13935 left == != > < <= >=
13946 left &
13957 left |
13968 left &&
13979 left ||
139810 right ? :
139911 right &= += -= *= /= (2)
b4d4e8e3 1400(lowest)
c653b370 1401@end smallexample
2c5c0674
RP
1402Notes:
1403(1) Prefix operators
baaaf6f2 1404(2) @xref{Assignment}.
c8072296 1405@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
b4d4e8e3 1406@end ifinfo
f22eee08 1407@tex
2c5c0674 1408\vskip \baselineskip
c653b370 1409%"lispnarrowing" is the extra indent used generally for @smallexample
2c5c0674 1410\hskip\lispnarrowing\vbox{\offinterlineskip
f22eee08
RP
1411\hrule
1412\halign
2c5c0674
RP
1413{\vrule#&\strut\hfil\ #\ \hfil&\vrule#&\strut\hfil\ #\ \hfil&\vrule#&\strut\hfil\ {\tt #}\ \hfil&\vrule#\cr
1414height2pt&\omit&&\omit&&\omit&\cr
1415&Precedence&& Associativity &&{\rm Operators}&\cr
1416height2pt&\omit&&\omit&&\omit&\cr
f22eee08 1417\noalign{\hrule}
2c5c0674 1418height2pt&\omit&&\omit&&\omit&\cr
b4d4e8e3 1419&highest&&&&&\cr
2c5c0674
RP
1420% '176 is tilde, '~' in tt font
1421&1&&left&&\qquad- \char'176\ !\qquad\dag&\cr
1422&2&&left&&* / \%&\cr
1423&3&&left&&+ -&\cr
1424&4&&left&&>> <<&\cr
1425&5&&left&&== != > < <= >=&\cr
f22eee08 1426&6&&left&&\&&\cr
f22eee08 1427&7&&left&&|&\cr
f22eee08 1428&8&&left&&{\&\&}&\cr
f22eee08 1429&9&&left&&||&\cr
2c5c0674
RP
1430&10&&right&&? :&\cr
1431&11&&right&&\qquad\&= += -= *= /=\qquad\ddag&\cr
b4d4e8e3 1432&lowest&&&&&\cr
2c5c0674 1433height2pt&\omit&&\omit&&\omit&\cr}
f22eee08
RP
1434\hrule}
1435@end tex
2c5c0674
RP
1436@iftex
1437{
1438@obeylines@parskip=0pt@parindent=0pt
1439@dag@quad Prefix operators.
1440@ddag@quad @xref{Assignment}.
1441}
1442@end iftex
c8072296 1443@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
f22eee08 1444
ec40bbb8 1445@node Evaluation
b4d4e8e3
RP
1446@subsection Evaluation
1447
2c5c0674
RP
1448@cindex lazy evaluation
1449@cindex expression evaluation order
b4d4e8e3
RP
1450The linker uses ``lazy evaluation'' for expressions; it only calculates
1451an expression when absolutely necessary. The linker needs the value of
1452the start address, and the lengths of memory regions, in order to do any
1453linking at all; these values are computed as soon as possible when the
1454linker reads in the command file. However, other values (such as symbol
1455values) are not known or needed until after storage allocation. Such
1456values are evaluated later, when other information (such as the sizes of
1457output sections) is available for use in the symbol assignment
1458expression.
1459
ec40bbb8 1460@node Assignment
b4d4e8e3 1461@subsection Assignment: Defining Symbols
2c5c0674
RP
1462@cindex assignment in scripts
1463@cindex symbol definition, scripts
1464@cindex variables, defining
b4d4e8e3
RP
1465You may create global symbols, and assign values (addresses) to global
1466symbols, using any of the C assignment operators:
1467
1468@table @code
1469@item @var{symbol} = @var{expression} ;
2c5c0674 1470@itemx @var{symbol} &= @var{expression} ;
b4d4e8e3
RP
1471@itemx @var{symbol} += @var{expression} ;
1472@itemx @var{symbol} -= @var{expression} ;
1473@itemx @var{symbol} *= @var{expression} ;
1474@itemx @var{symbol} /= @var{expression} ;
1475@end table
1476
246504a5 1477Two things distinguish assignment from other operators in @code{ld}
b4d4e8e3
RP
1478expressions.
1479@itemize @bullet
2c5c0674
RP
1480@item
1481Assignment may only be used at the root of an expression;
b4d4e8e3 1482@samp{a=b+3;} is allowed, but @samp{a+b=3;} is an error.
2c5c0674
RP
1483
1484@kindex ;
1485@cindex semicolon
1486@item
d76ae847
RP
1487You must place a trailing semicolon (``@key{;}'') at the end of an
1488assignment statement.
b4d4e8e3
RP
1489@end itemize
1490
1491Assignment statements may appear:
1492@itemize @bullet
2c5c0674 1493@item
246504a5 1494as commands in their own right in an @code{ld} script; or
2c5c0674
RP
1495@item
1496as independent statements within a @code{SECTIONS} command; or
1497@item
1498as part of the contents of a section definition in a
b4d4e8e3
RP
1499@code{SECTIONS} command.
1500@end itemize
1501
1502The first two cases are equivalent in effect---both define a symbol with
ec40bbb8 1503an absolute address. The last case defines a symbol whose address is
b4d4e8e3
RP
1504relative to a particular section (@pxref{SECTIONS}).
1505
2c5c0674
RP
1506@cindex absolute and relocatable symbols
1507@cindex relocatable and absolute symbols
1508@cindex symbols, relocatable and absolute
1509When a linker expression is evaluated and assigned to a variable, it is
1510given either an absolute or a relocatable type. An absolute expression
1511type is one in which the symbol contains the value that it will have in
867a1b8a 1512the output file; a relocatable expression type is one in which the
2c5c0674 1513value is expressed as a fixed offset from the base of a section.
b4d4e8e3
RP
1514
1515The type of the expression is controlled by its position in the script
2c5c0674
RP
1516file. A symbol assigned within a section definition is created relative
1517to the base of the section; a symbol assigned in any other place is
1518created as an absolute symbol. Since a symbol created within a
1519section definition is relative to the base of the section, it
1520will remain relocatable if relocatable output is requested. A symbol
1521may be created with an absolute value even when assigned to within a
1522section definition by using the absolute assignment function
1523@code{ABSOLUTE}. For example, to create an absolute symbol whose address
1524is the last byte of an output section named @code{.data}:
c653b370 1525@smallexample
2c5c0674 1526SECTIONS@{ @dots{}
d4e5e3c3
DM
1527 .data :
1528 @{
1529 *(.data)
1530 _edata = ABSOLUTE(.) ;
1531 @}
2c5c0674 1532@dots{} @}
c653b370 1533@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3 1534
2c5c0674
RP
1535The linker tries to put off the evaluation of an assignment until all
1536the terms in the source expression are known (@pxref{Evaluation}). For
ec40bbb8 1537instance, the sizes of sections cannot be known until after allocation,
2c5c0674
RP
1538so assignments dependent upon these are not performed until after
1539allocation. Some expressions, such as those depending upon the location
1540counter @dfn{dot}, @samp{.} must be evaluated during allocation. If the
1541result of an expression is required, but the value is not available,
1542then an error results. For example, a script like the following
c653b370 1543@smallexample
2c5c0674 1544SECTIONS @{ @dots{}
d4e5e3c3
DM
1545 text 9+this_isnt_constant :
1546 @{ @dots{}
1547 @}
2c5c0674 1548@dots{} @}
c653b370 1549@end smallexample
2c5c0674
RP
1550@kindex Non constant expression
1551@noindent
1552will cause the error message ``@code{Non constant expression for initial
0b3499f6
ILT
1553address}''.
1554
1555@cindex provide
1556In some cases, it is desirable for a linker script to define a symbol
1557only if it is referenced, and only if it is not defined by any object
1558included in the link. For example, traditional linkers defined the
1559symbol @samp{etext}. However, ANSI C requires that the user be able to
1560use @samp{etext} as a function name without encountering an error.
1561The @code{PROVIDE} keyword may be used to define a symbol, such as
1562@samp{etext}, only if it is referenced but not defined. The syntax is
1563@code{PROVIDE(@var{symbol} = @var{expression})}.
b4d4e8e3 1564
867a1b8a
DM
1565@node Arithmetic Functions
1566@subsection Arithmetic Functions
2c5c0674 1567@cindex functions in expression language
ec40bbb8 1568The command language includes a number of built-in
2c5c0674
RP
1569functions for use in link script expressions.
1570@table @code
2c5c0674
RP
1571@kindex ABSOLUTE(@var{exp})
1572@cindex expression, absolute
c653b370 1573@item ABSOLUTE(@var{exp})
ec40bbb8
DM
1574Return the absolute (non-relocatable, as opposed to non-negative) value
1575of the expression @var{exp}. Primarily useful to assign an absolute
1576value to a symbol within a section definition, where symbol values are
1577normally section-relative.
2c5c0674 1578
2c5c0674
RP
1579@kindex ADDR(@var{section})
1580@cindex section address
c653b370 1581@item ADDR(@var{section})
ec40bbb8 1582Return the absolute address of the named @var{section}. Your script must
b4d4e8e3 1583previously have defined the location of that section. In the following
ec40bbb8 1584example, @code{symbol_1} and @code{symbol_2} are assigned identical
b4d4e8e3 1585values:
c653b370
ILT
1586@smallexample
1587@group
2c5c0674 1588SECTIONS@{ @dots{}
d4e5e3c3
DM
1589 .output1 :
1590 @{
1591 start_of_output_1 = ABSOLUTE(.);
1592 @dots{}
1593 @}
1594 .output :
1595 @{
1596 symbol_1 = ADDR(.output1);
1597 symbol_2 = start_of_output_1;
1598 @}
2c5c0674 1599@dots{} @}
c653b370
ILT
1600@end group
1601@end smallexample
2c5c0674 1602
5735ac9e
ILT
1603@kindex LOADADDR(@var{section})
1604@cindex section load address
1605@item LOADADDR(@var{section})
1606Return the absolute load address of the named @var{section}. This is
1607normally the same as @code{ADDR}, but it may be different if the
1608@code{AT} keyword is used in the section definition (@pxref{Section
1609Options}).
1610
2c5c0674
RP
1611@kindex ALIGN(@var{exp})
1612@cindex rounding up location counter
c653b370 1613@item ALIGN(@var{exp})
ec40bbb8 1614Return the result of the current location counter (@code{.}) aligned to
2c5c0674
RP
1615the next @var{exp} boundary. @var{exp} must be an expression whose
1616value is a power of two. This is equivalent to
c653b370 1617@smallexample
cb70c872 1618(. + @var{exp} - 1) & ~(@var{exp} - 1)
c653b370 1619@end smallexample
2c5c0674
RP
1620
1621@code{ALIGN} doesn't change the value of the location counter---it just
1622does arithmetic on it. As an example, to align the output @code{.data}
1623section to the next @code{0x2000} byte boundary after the preceding
1624section and to set a variable within the section to the next
1625@code{0x8000} boundary after the input sections:
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1626@smallexample
1627@group
2c5c0674 1628SECTIONS@{ @dots{}
d4e5e3c3
DM
1629 .data ALIGN(0x2000): @{
1630 *(.data)
1631 variable = ALIGN(0x8000);
1632 @}
2c5c0674 1633@dots{} @}
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ILT
1634@end group
1635@end smallexample
2c5c0674
RP
1636@noindent
1637The first use of @code{ALIGN} in this example specifies the location of
1638a section because it is used as the optional @var{start} attribute of a
1639section definition (@pxref{Section Options}). The second use simply
1640defines the value of a variable.
1641
1642The built-in @code{NEXT} is closely related to @code{ALIGN}.
1643
2c5c0674
RP
1644@kindex DEFINED(@var{symbol})
1645@cindex symbol defaults
c653b370 1646@item DEFINED(@var{symbol})
ec40bbb8
DM
1647Return 1 if @var{symbol} is in the linker global symbol table and is
1648defined, otherwise return 0. You can use this function to provide default
1649values for symbols. For example, the following command-file fragment shows how
2c5c0674
RP
1650to set a global symbol @code{begin} to the first location in the
1651@code{.text} section---but if a symbol called @code{begin} already
1652existed, its value is preserved:
d4e5e3c3 1653
c8072296 1654@smallexample
c653b370 1655@group
2c5c0674 1656SECTIONS@{ @dots{}
d4e5e3c3
DM
1657 .text : @{
1658 begin = DEFINED(begin) ? begin : . ;
1659 @dots{}
1660 @}
2c5c0674 1661@dots{} @}
c653b370 1662@end group
c8072296 1663@end smallexample
f22eee08 1664
2c5c0674
RP
1665@kindex NEXT(@var{exp})
1666@cindex unallocated address, next
c653b370 1667@item NEXT(@var{exp})
ec40bbb8
DM
1668Return the next unallocated address that is a multiple of @var{exp}.
1669This function is closely related to @code{ALIGN(@var{exp})}; unless you
2c5c0674 1670use the @code{MEMORY} command to define discontinuous memory for the
ec40bbb8 1671output file, the two functions are equivalent.
2c5c0674 1672
2c5c0674
RP
1673@kindex SIZEOF(@var{section})
1674@cindex section size
c653b370 1675@item SIZEOF(@var{section})
ec40bbb8
DM
1676Return the size in bytes of the named @var{section}, if that section has
1677been allocated. In the following example, @code{symbol_1} and
f22eee08 1678@code{symbol_2} are assigned identical values:
ec40bbb8 1679@c What does it return if the section hasn't been allocated? 0?
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ILT
1680@smallexample
1681@group
2c5c0674 1682SECTIONS@{ @dots{}
d4e5e3c3
DM
1683 .output @{
1684 .start = . ;
1685 @dots{}
1686 .end = . ;
1687 @}
1688 symbol_1 = .end - .start ;
1689 symbol_2 = SIZEOF(.output);
2c5c0674 1690@dots{} @}
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1691@end group
1692@end smallexample
f22eee08 1693
2c5c0674
RP
1694@kindex SIZEOF_HEADERS
1695@cindex header size
2c5c0674 1696@kindex sizeof_headers
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ILT
1697@item SIZEOF_HEADERS
1698@itemx sizeof_headers
ec40bbb8 1699Return the size in bytes of the output file's headers. You can use this number
2c5c0674
RP
1700as the start address of the first section, if you choose, to facilitate
1701paging.
1702
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ILT
1703@kindex MAX
1704@item MAX(@var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
1705Returns the maximum of @var{exp1} and @var{exp2}.
1706
1707@kindex MIN
1708@item MIN(@var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
1709Returns the minimum of @var{exp1} and @var{exp2}.
1710
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RP
1711@end table
1712
67afbcea
DE
1713@node Semicolons
1714@subsection Semicolons
1715
1716Semicolons (``@key{;}'') are required in the following places. In all
1717other places they can appear for aesthetic reasons but are otherwise ignored.
1718
1719@table @code
1720@item Assignment
1721Semicolons must appear at the end of assignment expressions.
1722@xref{Assignment}
1723
1724@item PHDRS
1725Semicolons must appear at the end of a @code{PHDRS} statement.
1726@xref{PHDRS}
1727@end table
1728
ec40bbb8 1729@node MEMORY
867a1b8a 1730@section Memory Layout
2c5c0674
RP
1731@kindex MEMORY
1732@cindex regions of memory
1733@cindex discontinuous memory
1734@cindex allocating memory
ec40bbb8
DM
1735The linker's default configuration permits allocation of all available memory.
1736You can override this configuration by using the @code{MEMORY} command. The
b4d4e8e3
RP
1737@code{MEMORY} command describes the location and size of blocks of
1738memory in the target. By using it carefully, you can describe which
1739memory regions may be used by the linker, and which memory regions it
1740must avoid. The linker does not shuffle sections to fit into the
1741available regions, but does move the requested sections into the correct
1742regions and issue errors when the regions become too full.
1743
867a1b8a 1744A command file may contain at most one use of the @code{MEMORY}
b4d4e8e3
RP
1745command; however, you can define as many blocks of memory within it as
1746you wish. The syntax is:
c8072296 1747
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1748@smallexample
1749@group
b4d4e8e3 1750MEMORY
d4e5e3c3
DM
1751 @{
1752 @var{name} (@var{attr}) : ORIGIN = @var{origin}, LENGTH = @var{len}
1753 @dots{}
1754 @}
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1755@end group
1756@end smallexample
f22eee08 1757@table @code
2c5c0674 1758@cindex naming memory regions
d4e5e3c3 1759@item @var{name}
f22eee08
RP
1760is a name used internally by the linker to refer to the region. Any
1761symbol name may be used. The region names are stored in a separate
ec40bbb8 1762name space, and will not conflict with symbols, file names or section
b4d4e8e3 1763names. Use distinct names to specify multiple regions.
d4e5e3c3 1764
2c5c0674 1765@cindex memory region attributes
d4e5e3c3 1766@item (@var{attr})
2c5c0674 1767is an optional list of attributes, permitted for compatibility with the
246504a5 1768AT&T linker but not used by @code{ld} beyond checking that the
2c5c0674
RP
1769attribute list is valid. Valid attribute lists must be made up of the
1770characters ``@code{LIRWX}''. If you omit the attribute list, you may
1771omit the parentheses around it as well.
d4e5e3c3 1772
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RP
1773@kindex ORIGIN =
1774@kindex o =
1775@kindex org =
d4e5e3c3 1776@item @var{origin}
ec40bbb8
DM
1777is the start address of the region in physical memory. It is
1778an expression that must evaluate to a constant before
f22eee08 1779memory allocation is performed. The keyword @code{ORIGIN} may be
867a1b8a 1780abbreviated to @code{org} or @code{o} (but not, for example, @samp{ORG}).
d4e5e3c3 1781
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RP
1782@kindex LENGTH =
1783@kindex len =
1784@kindex l =
d4e5e3c3 1785@item @var{len}
b4d4e8e3 1786is the size in bytes of the region (an expression).
2c5c0674 1787The keyword @code{LENGTH} may be abbreviated to @code{len} or @code{l}.
f22eee08
RP
1788@end table
1789
1790For example, to specify that memory has two regions available for
ec40bbb8 1791allocation---one starting at 0 for 256 kilobytes, and the other
2c5c0674 1792starting at @code{0x40000000} for four megabytes:
f22eee08 1793
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1794@smallexample
1795@group
b4d4e8e3 1796MEMORY
d4e5e3c3
DM
1797 @{
1798 rom : ORIGIN = 0, LENGTH = 256K
1799 ram : org = 0x40000000, l = 4M
1800 @}
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1801@end group
1802@end smallexample
f22eee08 1803
b4d4e8e3 1804Once you have defined a region of memory named @var{mem}, you can direct
2c5c0674
RP
1805specific output sections there by using a command ending in
1806@samp{>@var{mem}} within the @code{SECTIONS} command (@pxref{Section
1807Options}). If the combined output sections directed to a region are too
1808big for the region, the linker will issue an error message.
b4d4e8e3 1809
ec40bbb8 1810@node SECTIONS
867a1b8a 1811@section Specifying Output Sections
67c4333b 1812
2c5c0674 1813@kindex SECTIONS
b4d4e8e3 1814The @code{SECTIONS} command controls exactly where input sections are
867a1b8a
DM
1815placed into output sections, their order in the output file, and to
1816which output sections they are allocated.
b4d4e8e3 1817
867a1b8a 1818You may use at most one @code{SECTIONS} command in a script file,
b4d4e8e3
RP
1819but you can have as many statements within it as you wish. Statements
1820within the @code{SECTIONS} command can do one of three things:
67c4333b 1821
b4d4e8e3
RP
1822@itemize @bullet
1823@item
1824define the entry point;
67c4333b 1825
b4d4e8e3
RP
1826@item
1827assign a value to a symbol;
67c4333b 1828
b4d4e8e3 1829@item
867a1b8a
DM
1830describe the placement of a named output section, and which input
1831sections go into it.
b4d4e8e3
RP
1832@end itemize
1833
8920addc
RP
1834You can also use the first two operations---defining the entry point and
1835defining symbols---outside the @code{SECTIONS} command: @pxref{Entry
baaaf6f2 1836Point}, and @ref{Assignment}. They are permitted here as well for
8920addc
RP
1837your convenience in reading the script, so that symbols and the entry
1838point can be defined at meaningful points in your output-file layout.
f22eee08 1839
67c4333b 1840If you do not use a @code{SECTIONS} command, the linker places each input
867a1b8a
DM
1841section into an identically named output section in the order that the
1842sections are first encountered in the input files. If all input sections
1843are present in the first file, for example, the order of sections in the
1844output file will match the order in the first input file.
b4d4e8e3 1845
2c5c0674 1846@menu
2d59b2c3 1847* Section Definition:: Section Definitions
867a1b8a
DM
1848* Section Placement:: Section Placement
1849* Section Data Expressions:: Section Data Expressions
2d59b2c3 1850* Section Options:: Optional Section Attributes
b61364cc 1851* Overlays:: Overlays
2c5c0674
RP
1852@end menu
1853
ec40bbb8 1854@node Section Definition
b4d4e8e3 1855@subsection Section Definitions
2c5c0674 1856@cindex section definition
b4d4e8e3 1857The most frequently used statement in the @code{SECTIONS} command is
867a1b8a 1858the @dfn{section definition}, which specifies the
b4d4e8e3 1859properties of an output section: its location, alignment, contents,
ec40bbb8 1860fill pattern, and target memory region. Most of
b4d4e8e3
RP
1861these specifications are optional; the simplest form of a section
1862definition is
c653b370 1863@smallexample
2c5c0674 1864SECTIONS @{ @dots{}
d4e5e3c3
DM
1865 @var{secname} : @{
1866 @var{contents}
1867 @}
2c5c0674 1868@dots{} @}
c653b370 1869@end smallexample
2c5c0674 1870@cindex naming output sections
b4d4e8e3
RP
1871@noindent
1872@var{secname} is the name of the output section, and @var{contents} a
ec40bbb8 1873specification of what goes there---for example, a list of input files or
867a1b8a
DM
1874sections of input files (@pxref{Section Placement}). As you might
1875assume, the whitespace shown is optional. You do need the colon
1876@samp{:} and the braces @samp{@{@}}, however.
b4d4e8e3
RP
1877
1878@var{secname} must meet the constraints of your output format. In
1879formats which only support a limited number of sections, such as
1880@code{a.out}, the name must be one of the names supported by the format
2c5c0674
RP
1881(@code{a.out}, for example, allows only @code{.text}, @code{.data} or
1882@code{.bss}). If the output format supports any number of sections, but
1883with numbers and not names (as is the case for Oasys), the name should be
1884supplied as a quoted numeric string. A section name may consist of any
867a1b8a 1885sequence of characters, but any name which does not conform to the standard
246504a5 1886@code{ld} symbol name syntax must be quoted.
ec40bbb8 1887@xref{Symbols, , Symbol Names}.
2c5c0674 1888
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ILT
1889The special @var{secname} @samp{/DISCARD/} may be used to discard input
1890sections. Any sections which are assigned to an output section named
1891@samp{/DISCARD/} are not included in the final link output.
1892
f9d3d71a
ILT
1893The linker will not create output sections which do not have any
1894contents. This is for convenience when referring to input sections that
1895may or may not exist. For example,
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ILT
1896@smallexample
1897.foo @{ *(.foo) @}
1898@end smallexample
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ILT
1899will only create a @samp{.foo} section in the output file if there is a
1900@samp{.foo} section in at least one input file.
1901
867a1b8a
DM
1902@node Section Placement
1903@subsection Section Placement
67c4333b 1904
2c5c0674 1905@cindex contents of a section
67c4333b
RP
1906In a section definition, you can specify the contents of an output
1907section by listing particular input files, by listing particular
1908input-file sections, or by a combination of the two. You can also place
1909arbitrary data in the section, and define symbols relative to the
1910beginning of the section.
b4d4e8e3
RP
1911
1912The @var{contents} of a section definition may include any of the
1913following kinds of statement. You can include as many of these as you
1914like in a single section definition, separated from one another by
86bc0974 1915whitespace.
f22eee08 1916
b4d4e8e3 1917@table @code
2c5c0674
RP
1918@kindex @var{filename}
1919@cindex input files, section defn
1920@cindex files, including in output sections
d4e5e3c3 1921@item @var{filename}
b4d4e8e3 1922You may simply name a particular input file to be placed in the current
2c5c0674 1923output section; @emph{all} sections from that file are placed in the
867a1b8a
DM
1924current section definition. If the file name has already been mentioned
1925in another section definition, with an explicit section name list, then
1926only those sections which have not yet been allocated are used.
1927
1928To specify a list of particular files by name:
c653b370 1929@smallexample
cb70c872 1930.data : @{ afile.o bfile.o cfile.o @}
c653b370 1931@end smallexample
2c5c0674
RP
1932@noindent
1933The example also illustrates that multiple statements can be included in
ec40bbb8 1934the contents of a section definition, since each file name is a separate
2c5c0674 1935statement.
f22eee08 1936
d4e5e3c3
DM
1937@kindex @var{filename}(@var{section})
1938@cindex files and sections, section defn
2c5c0674 1939@item @var{filename}( @var{section} )
4fea1383 1940@itemx @var{filename}( @var{section} , @var{section}, @dots{} )
2c5c0674 1941@itemx @var{filename}( @var{section} @var{section} @dots{} )
2c5c0674
RP
1942You can name one or more sections from your input files, for
1943insertion in the current output section. If you wish to specify a list
1944of input-file sections inside the parentheses, you may separate the
1945section names by either commas or whitespace.
1946
d4e5e3c3
DM
1947@cindex input sections to output section
1948@kindex *(@var{section})
b4d4e8e3
RP
1949@item * (@var{section})
1950@itemx * (@var{section}, @var{section}, @dots{})
836a5ee4 1951@itemx * (@var{section} @var{section} @dots{})
b4d4e8e3 1952Instead of explicitly naming particular input files in a link control
246504a5 1953script, you can refer to @emph{all} files from the @code{ld} command
ec40bbb8 1954line: use @samp{*} instead of a particular file name before the
b4d4e8e3
RP
1955parenthesized input-file section list.
1956
867a1b8a
DM
1957If you have already explicitly included some files by name, @samp{*}
1958refers to all @emph{remaining} files---those whose places in the output
1959file have not yet been defined.
1960
ec40bbb8 1961For example, to copy sections @code{1} through @code{4} from an Oasys file
b4d4e8e3
RP
1962into the @code{.text} section of an @code{a.out} file, and sections @code{13}
1963and @code{14} into the @code{.data} section:
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1964@smallexample
1965@group
2c5c0674 1966SECTIONS @{
d4e5e3c3
DM
1967 .text :@{
1968 *("1" "2" "3" "4")
1969 @}
1970
1971 .data :@{
1972 *("13" "14")
1973 @}
b4d4e8e3 1974@}
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ILT
1975@end group
1976@end smallexample
f22eee08 1977
d4e5e3c3 1978@cindex @code{[@var{section}@dots{}]}, not supported
836a5ee4
DM
1979@samp{[ @var{section} @dots{} ]} used to be accepted as an alternate way
1980to specify named sections from all unallocated input files. Because
1981some operating systems (VMS) allow brackets in file names, that notation
1982is no longer supported.
1983
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RP
1984@cindex uninitialized data
1985@cindex commons in output
d4e5e3c3
DM
1986@kindex *( COMMON )
1987@item @var{filename}@code{( COMMON )}
1988@itemx *( COMMON )
b4d4e8e3 1989Specify where in your output file to place uninitialized data
d76ae847 1990with this notation. @code{*(COMMON)} by itself refers to all
b4d4e8e3
RP
1991uninitialized data from all input files (so far as it is not yet
1992allocated); @var{filename}@code{(COMMON)} refers to uninitialized data
1993from a particular file. Both are special cases of the general
1994mechanisms for specifying where to place input-file sections:
246504a5 1995@code{ld} permits you to refer to uninitialized data as if it
b4d4e8e3
RP
1996were in an input-file section named @code{COMMON}, regardless of the
1997input file's format.
1998@end table
1999
86bc0974 2000In any place where you may use a specific file or section name, you may
c2ba3684
ILT
2001also use a wildcard pattern. The linker handles wildcards much as the
2002Unix shell does. A @samp{*} character matches any number of characters.
2003A @samp{?} character matches any single character. The sequence
2004@samp{[@var{chars}]} will match a single instance of any of the
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ILT
2005@var{chars}; the @samp{-} character may be used to specify a range of
2006characters, as in @samp{[a-z]} to match any lower case letter. A
2007@samp{\} character may be used to quote the following character.
2008
c2ba3684
ILT
2009When a file name is matched with a wildcard, the wildcard characters
2010will not match a @samp{/} character (used to separate directory names on
86bc0974 2011Unix). A pattern consisting of a single @samp{*} character is an
c2ba3684
ILT
2012exception; it will always match any file name. In a section name, the
2013wildcard characters will match a @samp{/} character.
2014
2015Wildcards only match files which are explicitly specified on the command
2016line. The linker does not search directories to expand wildcards.
2017However, if you specify a simple file name---a name with no wildcard
2018characters---in a linker script, and the file name is not also specified
2019on the command line, the linker will attempt to open the file as though
2020it appeared on the command line.
86bc0974
ILT
2021
2022In the following example, the command script arranges the output file
2023into three consecutive sections, named @code{.text}, @code{.data}, and
b4d4e8e3
RP
2024@code{.bss}, taking the input for each from the correspondingly named
2025sections of all the input files:
d4e5e3c3 2026
c653b370
ILT
2027@smallexample
2028@group
2c5c0674 2029SECTIONS @{
d76ae847
RP
2030 .text : @{ *(.text) @}
2031 .data : @{ *(.data) @}
2032 .bss : @{ *(.bss) *(COMMON) @}
2c5c0674 2033@}
c653b370
ILT
2034@end group
2035@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3
RP
2036
2037The following example reads all of the sections from file @code{all.o}
2038and places them at the start of output section @code{outputa} which
2039starts at location @code{0x10000}. All of section @code{.input1} from
2040file @code{foo.o} follows immediately, in the same output section. All
2041of section @code{.input2} from @code{foo.o} goes into output section
2042@code{outputb}, followed by section @code{.input1} from @code{foo1.o}.
2043All of the remaining @code{.input1} and @code{.input2} sections from any
2044files are written to output section @code{outputc}.
2045
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ILT
2046@smallexample
2047@group
2c5c0674 2048SECTIONS @{
d4e5e3c3
DM
2049 outputa 0x10000 :
2050 @{
2051 all.o
2052 foo.o (.input1)
2053 @}
2054 outputb :
2055 @{
2056 foo.o (.input2)
2057 foo1.o (.input1)
2058 @}
2059 outputc :
2060 @{
2061 *(.input1)
2062 *(.input2)
2063 @}
2c5c0674 2064@}
c653b370
ILT
2065@end group
2066@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3 2067
86bc0974
ILT
2068This example shows how wildcard patterns might be used to partition
2069files. All @code{.text} sections are placed in @code{.text}, and all
2070@code{.bss} sections are placed in @code{.bss}. For all files beginning
2071with an upper case character, the @code{.data} section is placed into
2072@code{.DATA}; for all other files, the @code{.data} section is placed
2073into @code{.data}.
2074
2075@smallexample
2076@group
2077SECTIONS @{
2078 .text : @{ *(.text) @}
2079 .DATA : @{ [A-Z]*(.data) @}
2080 .data : @{ *(.data) @}
2081 .bss : @{ *(.bss) @}
2082@}
2083@end group
2084@end smallexample
2085
867a1b8a
DM
2086@node Section Data Expressions
2087@subsection Section Data Expressions
67c4333b 2088
867a1b8a 2089@cindex expressions in a section
67c4333b
RP
2090The foregoing statements arrange, in your output file, data originating
2091from your input files. You can also place data directly in an output
2092section from the link command script. Most of these additional
baaaf6f2 2093statements involve expressions (@pxref{Expressions}). Although these
67c4333b
RP
2094statements are shown separately here for ease of presentation, no such
2095segregation is needed within a section definition in the @code{SECTIONS}
2096command; you can intermix them freely with any of the statements we've
2097just described.
f22eee08 2098
b4d4e8e3 2099@table @code
2c5c0674
RP
2100@cindex input filename symbols
2101@cindex filename symbols
d4e5e3c3
DM
2102@kindex CREATE_OBJECT_SYMBOLS
2103@item CREATE_OBJECT_SYMBOLS
ec40bbb8
DM
2104Create a symbol for each input file
2105in the current section, set to the address of the first byte of
867a1b8a 2106data written from that input file. For instance, with @code{a.out}
b4d4e8e3
RP
2107files it is conventional to have a symbol for each input file. You can
2108accomplish this by defining the output @code{.text} section as follows:
c653b370
ILT
2109@smallexample
2110@group
b4d4e8e3 2111SECTIONS @{
d4e5e3c3
DM
2112 .text 0x2020 :
2113 @{
2114 CREATE_OBJECT_SYMBOLS
2115 *(.text)
2116 _etext = ALIGN(0x2000);
2117 @}
2118 @dots{}
2c5c0674 2119@}
c653b370
ILT
2120@end group
2121@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3 2122
867a1b8a 2123If @code{sample.ld} is a file containing this script, and @code{a.o},
b4d4e8e3
RP
2124@code{b.o}, @code{c.o}, and @code{d.o} are four input files with
2125contents like the following---
c653b370
ILT
2126@smallexample
2127@group
b4d4e8e3
RP
2128/* a.c */
2129
2c5c0674 2130afunction() @{ @}
b4d4e8e3
RP
2131int adata=1;
2132int abss;
c653b370
ILT
2133@end group
2134@end smallexample
f22eee08 2135
b4d4e8e3 2136@noindent
867a1b8a 2137@samp{ld -M -T sample.ld a.o b.o c.o d.o} would create a map like this,
b4d4e8e3 2138containing symbols matching the object file names:
c653b370 2139@smallexample
f22eee08
RP
214000000000 A __DYNAMIC
214100004020 B _abss
214200004000 D _adata
214300002020 T _afunction
214400004024 B _bbss
214500004008 D _bdata
214600002038 T _bfunction
214700004028 B _cbss
214800004010 D _cdata
214900002050 T _cfunction
21500000402c B _dbss
215100004018 D _ddata
215200002068 T _dfunction
215300004020 D _edata
215400004030 B _end
215500004000 T _etext
215600002020 t a.o
215700002038 t b.o
215800002050 t c.o
215900002068 t d.o
c653b370 2160@end smallexample
f22eee08 2161
2c5c0674 2162@kindex @var{symbol} = @var{expression} ;
2c5c0674 2163@kindex @var{symbol} @var{f}= @var{expression} ;
d4e5e3c3
DM
2164@item @var{symbol} = @var{expression} ;
2165@itemx @var{symbol} @var{f}= @var{expression} ;
2c5c0674
RP
2166@var{symbol} is any symbol name (@pxref{Symbols}). ``@var{f}=''
2167refers to any of the operators @code{&= += -= *= /=} which combine
2168arithmetic and assignment.
2169
2170@cindex assignment, in section defn
2171When you assign a value to a symbol within a particular section
2172definition, the value is relative to the beginning of the section
2173(@pxref{Assignment}). If you write
d4e5e3c3 2174
c653b370
ILT
2175@smallexample
2176@group
2c5c0674 2177SECTIONS @{
b4d4e8e3 2178 abs = 14 ;
2c5c0674 2179 @dots{}
cb70c872 2180 .data : @{ @dots{} rel = 14 ; @dots{} @}
b4d4e8e3 2181 abs2 = 14 + ADDR(.data);
2c5c0674
RP
2182 @dots{}
2183@}
c653b370
ILT
2184@end group
2185@end smallexample
d4e5e3c3 2186
2c5c0674 2187@c FIXME: Try above example!
b4d4e8e3 2188@noindent
ec40bbb8 2189@code{abs} and @code{rel} do not have the same value; @code{rel} has the
b4d4e8e3
RP
2190same value as @code{abs2}.
2191
2c5c0674 2192@kindex BYTE(@var{expression})
2c5c0674 2193@kindex SHORT(@var{expression})
2c5c0674 2194@kindex LONG(@var{expression})
c477527c 2195@kindex QUAD(@var{expression})
2c5c0674 2196@cindex direct output
d4e5e3c3
DM
2197@item BYTE(@var{expression})
2198@itemx SHORT(@var{expression})
2199@itemx LONG(@var{expression})
2200@itemx QUAD(@var{expression})
c477527c
ILT
2201By including one of these four statements in a section definition, you
2202can explicitly place one, two, four, or eight bytes (respectively) at
2203the current address of that section. @code{QUAD} is only supported when
2204using a 64 bit host or target.
ec40bbb8
DM
2205
2206@ifclear SingleFormat
2207Multiple-byte quantities are represented in whatever byte order is
2208appropriate for the output file format (@pxref{BFD}).
2209@end ifclear
b4d4e8e3 2210
2c5c0674
RP
2211@kindex FILL(@var{expression})
2212@cindex holes, filling
2213@cindex unspecified memory
c653b370 2214@item FILL(@var{expression})
867a1b8a 2215Specify the ``fill pattern'' for the current section. Any otherwise
b4d4e8e3
RP
2216unspecified regions of memory within the section (for example, regions
2217you skip over by assigning a new value to the location counter @samp{.})
2218are filled with the two least significant bytes from the
2219@var{expression} argument. A @code{FILL} statement covers memory
2220locations @emph{after} the point it occurs in the section definition; by
2221including more than one @code{FILL} statement, you can have different
2222fill patterns in different parts of an output section.
2223@end table
2224
ec40bbb8 2225@node Section Options
b4d4e8e3 2226@subsection Optional Section Attributes
2c5c0674 2227@cindex section defn, full syntax
b4d4e8e3
RP
2228Here is the full syntax of a section definition, including all the
2229optional portions:
2230
d76ae847 2231@smallexample
c653b370 2232@group
2c5c0674
RP
2233SECTIONS @{
2234@dots{}
67c4333b 2235@var{secname} @var{start} BLOCK(@var{align}) (NOLOAD) : AT ( @var{ldadr} )
c653b370 2236 @{ @var{contents} @} >@var{region} :@var{phdr} =@var{fill}
2c5c0674 2237@dots{}
b4d4e8e3 2238@}
c653b370 2239@end group
d76ae847 2240@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3
RP
2241
2242@var{secname} and @var{contents} are required. @xref{Section
baaaf6f2 2243Definition}, and @ref{Section Placement}, for details on
67c4333b
RP
2244@var{contents}. The remaining elements---@var{start},
2245@code{BLOCK(@var{align)}}, @code{(NOLOAD)}, @code{AT ( @var{ldadr} )},
c653b370
ILT
2246@code{>@var{region}}, @code{:@var{phdr}}, and @code{=@var{fill}}---are
2247all optional.
f22eee08 2248
b4d4e8e3 2249@table @code
2c5c0674
RP
2250@cindex start address, section
2251@cindex section start
2252@cindex section address
d4e5e3c3 2253@item @var{start}
b4d4e8e3
RP
2254You can force the output section to be loaded at a specified address by
2255specifying @var{start} immediately following the section name.
2256@var{start} can be represented as any expression. The following
2257example generates section @var{output} at location
2258@code{0x40000000}:
d4e5e3c3 2259
c653b370
ILT
2260@smallexample
2261@group
b4d4e8e3 2262SECTIONS @{
d4e5e3c3
DM
2263 @dots{}
2264 output 0x40000000: @{
2265 @dots{}
2266 @}
2267 @dots{}
b4d4e8e3 2268@}
c653b370
ILT
2269@end group
2270@end smallexample
f22eee08 2271
2c5c0674
RP
2272@kindex BLOCK(@var{align})
2273@cindex section alignment
2274@cindex aligning sections
d4e5e3c3 2275@item BLOCK(@var{align})
ec40bbb8 2276You can include @code{BLOCK()} specification to advance
2c5c0674
RP
2277the location counter @code{.} prior to the beginning of the section, so
2278that the section will begin at the specified alignment. @var{align} is
2279an expression.
f22eee08 2280
d76ae847
RP
2281@kindex NOLOAD
2282@cindex prevent unnecessary loading
67c4333b
RP
2283@cindex loading, preventing
2284@item (NOLOAD)
d76ae847
RP
2285Use @samp{(NOLOAD)} to prevent a section from being loaded into memory
2286each time it is accessed. For example, in the script sample below, the
2287@code{ROM} segment is addressed at memory location @samp{0} and does not
2288need to be loaded into each object file:
67c4333b 2289
c653b370
ILT
2290@smallexample
2291@group
d76ae847 2292SECTIONS @{
d4e5e3c3
DM
2293 ROM 0 (NOLOAD) : @{ @dots{} @}
2294 @dots{}
d76ae847 2295@}
c653b370
ILT
2296@end group
2297@end smallexample
d76ae847 2298
67c4333b
RP
2299@kindex AT ( @var{ldadr} )
2300@cindex specify load address
2301@cindex load address, specifying
2302@item AT ( @var{ldadr} )
2303The expression @var{ldadr} that follows the @code{AT} keyword specifies
2304the load address of the section. The default (if you do not use the
2305@code{AT} keyword) is to make the load address the same as the
2306relocation address. This feature is designed to make it easy to build a
2307ROM image. For example, this @code{SECTIONS} definition creates two
2308output sections: one called @samp{.text}, which starts at @code{0x1000},
2309and one called @samp{.mdata}, which is loaded at the end of the
2310@samp{.text} section even though its relocation address is
2311@code{0x2000}. The symbol @code{_data} is defined with the value
2312@code{0x2000}:
2313
2314@smallexample
c653b370 2315@group
67c4333b 2316SECTIONS
139c8857
RP
2317 @{
2318 .text 0x1000 : @{ *(.text) _etext = . ; @}
2319 .mdata 0x2000 :
2320 AT ( ADDR(.text) + SIZEOF ( .text ) )
2321 @{ _data = . ; *(.data); _edata = . ; @}
2322 .bss 0x3000 :
2323 @{ _bstart = . ; *(.bss) *(COMMON) ; _bend = . ;@}
67c4333b 2324@}
c653b370 2325@end group
67c4333b
RP
2326@end smallexample
2327
2328The run-time initialization code (for C programs, usually @code{crt0})
2329for use with a ROM generated this way has to include something like
2330the following, to copy the initialized data from the ROM image to its runtime
2331address:
2332
139c8857 2333@smallexample
c653b370 2334@group
67c4333b
RP
2335char *src = _etext;
2336char *dst = _data;
2337
139c8857 2338/* ROM has data at end of text; copy it. */
67c4333b 2339while (dst < _edata) @{
139c8857 2340 *dst++ = *src++;
67c4333b
RP
2341@}
2342
2343/* Zero bss */
2344for (dst = _bstart; dst< _bend; dst++)
139c8857 2345 *dst = 0;
c653b370 2346@end group
139c8857 2347@end smallexample
67c4333b 2348
f9d3d71a
ILT
2349@kindex >@var{region}
2350@cindex section, assigning to memory region
2351@cindex memory regions and sections
2352@item >@var{region}
2353Assign this section to a previously defined region of memory.
2354@xref{MEMORY}.
2355
c653b370
ILT
2356@kindex :@var{phdr}
2357@cindex section, assigning to program header
2358@cindex program headers and sections
2359@item :@var{phdr}
2360Assign this section to a segment described by a program header.
baaaf6f2 2361@xref{PHDRS}. If a section is assigned to one or more segments, then
c653b370
ILT
2362all subsequent allocated sections will be assigned to those segments as
2363well, unless they use an explicitly @code{:@var{phdr}} modifier. To
2364prevent a section from being assigned to a segment when it would
2365normally default to one, use @code{:NONE}.
2366
2c5c0674
RP
2367@kindex =@var{fill}
2368@cindex section fill pattern
2369@cindex fill pattern, entire section
d4e5e3c3
DM
2370@item =@var{fill}
2371Including @code{=@var{fill}} in a section definition specifies the
2372initial fill value for that section. You may use any expression to
2373specify @var{fill}. Any unallocated holes in the current output section
2374when written to the output file will be filled with the two least
2375significant bytes of the value, repeated as necessary. You can also
2376change the fill value with a @code{FILL} statement in the @var{contents}
2377of a section definition.
f22eee08 2378
f22eee08 2379@end table
b4d4e8e3 2380
b61364cc
ILT
2381@node Overlays
2382@subsection Overlays
2383@kindex OVERLAY
2384@cindex overlays
2385
2386The @code{OVERLAY} command provides an easy way to describe sections
2387which are to be loaded as part of a single memory image but are to be
2388run at the same memory address. At run time, some sort of overlay
2389manager will copy the overlaid sections in and out of the runtime memory
2390address as required, perhaps by simply manipulating addressing bits.
2391This approach can be useful, for example, when a certain region of
2392memory is faster than another.
2393
2394The @code{OVERLAY} command is used within a @code{SECTIONS} command. It
2395appears as follows:
2396@smallexample
2397@group
2398 OVERLAY @var{start} : [ NOCROSSREFS ] AT ( @var{ldaddr} )
2399 @{
2400 @var{secname1} @{ @var{contents} @} :@var{phdr} =@var{fill}
2401 @var{secname2} @{ @var{contents} @} :@var{phdr} =@var{fill}
2402 @dots{}
2403 @} >@var{region} :@var{phdr} =@var{fill}
2404@end group
2405@end smallexample
2406
2407Everything is optional except @code{OVERLAY} (a keyword), and each
2408section must have a name (@var{secname1} and @var{secname2} above). The
2409section definitions within the @code{OVERLAY} construct are identical to
2410those within the general @code{SECTIONS} contruct (@pxref{SECTIONS}),
2411except that no addresses and no memory regions may be defined for
2412sections within an @code{OVERLAY}.
2413
2414The sections are all defined with the same starting address. The load
2415addresses of the sections are arranged such that they are consecutive in
2416memory starting at the load address used for the @code{OVERLAY} as a
2417whole (as with normal section definitions, the load address is optional,
2418and defaults to the start address; the start address is also optional,
2419and defaults to @code{.}).
2420
2421If the @code{NOCROSSREFS} keyword is used, and there any references
2422among the sections, the linker will report an error. Since the sections
2423all run at the same address, it normally does not make sense for one
2424section to refer directly to another. @xref{Option Commands,
2425NOCROSSREFS}.
2426
2427For each section within the @code{OVERLAY}, the linker automatically
2428defines two symbols. The symbol @code{__load_start_@var{secname}} is
2429defined as the starting load address of the section. The symbol
2430@code{__load_stop_@var{secname}} is defined as the final load address of
2431the section. Any characters within @var{secname} which are not legal
2432within C identifiers are removed. C (or assembler) code may use these
2433symbols to move the overlaid sections around as necessary.
2434
2435At the end of the overlay, the value of @code{.} is set to the start
2436address of the overlay plus the size of the largest section.
2437
2438Here is an example. Remember that this would appear inside a
2439@code{SECTIONS} construct.
2440
2441@smallexample
2442@group
2443 OVERLAY 0x1000 : AT (0x4000)
2444 @{
2445 .text0 @{ o1/*.o(.text) @}
2446 .text1 @{ o2/*.o(.text) @}
2447 @}
2448@end group
2449@end smallexample
2450
2451This will define both @code{.text0} and @code{.text1} to start at
2452address 0x1000. @code{.text0} will be loaded at address 0x4000, and
2453@code{.text1} will be loaded immediately after @code{.text0}. The
2454following symbols will be defined: @code{__load_start_text0},
2455@code{__load_stop_text0}, @code{__load_start_text1},
2456@code{__load_stop_text1}.
2457
2458C code to copy overlay @code{.text1} into the overlay area might look
2459like the following.
2460
2461@smallexample
2462@group
2463 extern char __load_start_text1, __load_stop_text1;
2464 memcpy ((char *) 0x1000, &__load_start_text1,
2465 &__load_stop_text1 - &__load_start_text1);
2466@end group
2467@end smallexample
2468
2469Note that the @code{OVERLAY} command is just syntactic sugar, since
2470everything it does can be done using the more basic commands. The above
2471example could have been written identically as follows.
2472
2473@smallexample
2474@group
2475 .text0 0x1000 : AT (0x4000) @{ o1/*.o(.text) @}
2476 __load_start_text0 = LOADADDR (.text0);
2477 __load_stop_text0 = LOADADDR (.text0) + SIZEOF (.text0);
2478 .text1 0x1000 : AT (0x4000 + SIZEOF (.text0)) @{ o2/*.o(.text) @}
2479 __load_start_text1 = LOADADDR (.text1);
2480 __load_stop_text1 = LOADADDR (.text1) + SIZEOF (.text1);
2481 . = 0x1000 + MAX (SIZEOF (.text0), SIZEOF (.text1));
2482@end group
2483@end smallexample
2484
c653b370
ILT
2485@node PHDRS
2486@section ELF Program Headers
2487@kindex PHDRS
b61364cc
ILT
2488@cindex program headers
2489@cindex ELF program headers
c653b370
ILT
2490
2491The ELF object file format uses @dfn{program headers}, which are read by
2492the system loader and describe how the program should be loaded into
2493memory. These program headers must be set correctly in order to run the
2494program on a native ELF system. The linker will create reasonable
2495program headers by default. However, in some cases, it is desirable to
2496specify the program headers more precisely; the @code{PHDRS} command may
2497be used for this purpose. When the @code{PHDRS} command is used, the
2498linker will not generate any program headers itself.
2499
2500The @code{PHDRS} command is only meaningful when generating an ELF
2501output file. It is ignored in other cases. This manual does not
2502describe the details of how the system loader interprets program
2503headers; for more information, see the ELF ABI. The program headers of
2504an ELF file may be displayed using the @samp{-p} option of the
2505@code{objdump} command.
2506
2507This is the syntax of the @code{PHDRS} command. The words @code{PHDRS},
2508@code{FILEHDR}, @code{AT}, and @code{FLAGS} are keywords.
2509
2510@smallexample
2511@group
2512PHDRS
2513@{
2514 @var{name} @var{type} [ FILEHDR ] [ PHDRS ] [ AT ( @var{address} ) ]
2515 [ FLAGS ( @var{flags} ) ] ;
2516@}
2517@end group
2518@end smallexample
2519
2520The @var{name} is used only for reference in the @code{SECTIONS} command
2521of the linker script. It does not get put into the output file.
2522
2523Certain program header types describe segments of memory which are
2524loaded from the file by the system loader. In the linker script, the
2525contents of these segments are specified by directing allocated output
2526sections to be placed in the segment. To do this, the command
2527describing the output section in the @code{SECTIONS} command should use
2528@samp{:@var{name}}, where @var{name} is the name of the program header
2529as it appears in the @code{PHDRS} command. @xref{Section Options}.
2530
2531It is normal for certain sections to appear in more than one segment.
2532This merely implies that one segment of memory contains another. This
2533is specified by repeating @samp{:@var{name}}, using it once for each
2534program header in which the section is to appear.
2535
2536If a section is placed in one or more segments using @samp{:@var{name}},
2537then all subsequent allocated sections which do not specify
2538@samp{:@var{name}} are placed in the same segments. This is for
2539convenience, since generally a whole set of contiguous sections will be
2540placed in a single segment. To prevent a section from being assigned to
2541a segment when it would normally default to one, use @code{:NONE}.
2542
2543The @code{FILEHDR} and @code{PHDRS} keywords which may appear after the
2544program header type also indicate contents of the segment of memory.
2545The @code{FILEHDR} keyword means that the segment should include the ELF
2546file header. The @code{PHDRS} keyword means that the segment should
2547include the ELF program headers themselves.
2548
2549The @var{type} may be one of the following. The numbers indicate the
2550value of the keyword.
2551
2552@table @asis
2553@item @code{PT_NULL} (0)
2554Indicates an unused program header.
2555
2556@item @code{PT_LOAD} (1)
2557Indicates that this program header describes a segment to be loaded from
2558the file.
2559
2560@item @code{PT_DYNAMIC} (2)
2561Indicates a segment where dynamic linking information can be found.
2562
2563@item @code{PT_INTERP} (3)
2564Indicates a segment where the name of the program interpreter may be
2565found.
2566
2567@item @code{PT_NOTE} (4)
2568Indicates a segment holding note information.
2569
2570@item @code{PT_SHLIB} (5)
2571A reserved program header type, defined but not specified by the ELF
2572ABI.
2573
2574@item @code{PT_PHDR} (6)
2575Indicates a segment where the program headers may be found.
2576
2577@item @var{expression}
2578An expression giving the numeric type of the program header. This may
2579be used for types not defined above.
2580@end table
2581
2582It is possible to specify that a segment should be loaded at a
2583particular address in memory. This is done using an @code{AT}
2584expression. This is identical to the @code{AT} command used in the
2585@code{SECTIONS} command (@pxref{Section Options}). Using the @code{AT}
2586command for a program header overrides any information in the
2587@code{SECTIONS} command.
2588
2589Normally the segment flags are set based on the sections. The
2590@code{FLAGS} keyword may be used to explicitly specify the segment
2591flags. The value of @var{flags} must be an integer. It is used to
2592set the @code{p_flags} field of the program header.
2593
2594Here is an example of the use of @code{PHDRS}. This shows a typical set
2595of program headers used on a native ELF system.
2596
2597@example
2598@group
2599PHDRS
2600@{
2601 headers PT_PHDR PHDRS ;
2602 interp PT_INTERP ;
2603 text PT_LOAD FILEHDR PHDRS ;
2604 data PT_LOAD ;
2605 dynamic PT_DYNAMIC ;
2606@}
2607
2608SECTIONS
2609@{
2610 . = SIZEOF_HEADERS;
2611 .interp : @{ *(.interp) @} :text :interp
2612 .text : @{ *(.text) @} :text
2613 .rodata : @{ *(.rodata) @} /* defaults to :text */
2614 @dots{}
2615 . = . + 0x1000; /* move to a new page in memory */
2616 .data : @{ *(.data) @} :data
2617 .dynamic : @{ *(.dynamic) @} :data :dynamic
2618 @dots{}
2619@}
2620@end group
2621@end example
2622
ec40bbb8 2623@node Entry Point
b4d4e8e3 2624@section The Entry Point
2c5c0674
RP
2625@kindex ENTRY(@var{symbol})
2626@cindex start of execution
2627@cindex first instruction
b4d4e8e3
RP
2628The linker command language includes a command specifically for
2629defining the first executable instruction in an output file (its
2630@dfn{entry point}). Its argument is a symbol name:
c653b370 2631@smallexample
b4d4e8e3 2632ENTRY(@var{symbol})
c653b370 2633@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3
RP
2634
2635Like symbol assignments, the @code{ENTRY} command may be placed either
2636as an independent command in the command file, or among the section
2637definitions within the @code{SECTIONS} command---whatever makes the most
2638sense for your layout.
2639
2c5c0674 2640@cindex entry point, defaults
b4d4e8e3
RP
2641@code{ENTRY} is only one of several ways of choosing the entry point.
2642You may indicate it in any of the following ways (shown in descending
2643order of priority: methods higher in the list override methods lower down).
f22eee08
RP
2644@itemize @bullet
2645@item
ec40bbb8 2646the @samp{-e} @var{entry} command-line option;
f22eee08 2647@item
8de26d62 2648the @code{ENTRY(@var{symbol})} command in a linker control script;
f22eee08 2649@item
b4d4e8e3 2650the value of the symbol @code{start}, if present;
f22eee08 2651@item
b4d4e8e3 2652the address of the first byte of the @code{.text} section, if present;
f22eee08 2653@item
b4d4e8e3 2654The address @code{0}.
f22eee08 2655@end itemize
b4d4e8e3 2656
2c5c0674
RP
2657For example, you can use these rules to generate an entry point with an
2658assignment statement: if no symbol @code{start} is defined within your
2659input files, you can simply define it, assigning it an appropriate
2660value---
d4e5e3c3 2661
c653b370 2662@smallexample
b4d4e8e3 2663start = 0x2020;
c653b370 2664@end smallexample
b4d4e8e3
RP
2665
2666@noindent
2667The example shows an absolute address, but you can use any expression.
2668For example, if your input object files use some other symbol-name
2669convention for the entry point, you can just assign the value of
2670whatever symbol contains the start address to @code{start}:
d4e5e3c3 2671
c653b370 2672@smallexample
cb70c872 2673start = other_symbol ;
c653b370 2674@end smallexample
f22eee08 2675
867a1b8a
DM
2676@node Option Commands
2677@section Option Commands
b4d4e8e3
RP
2678The command language includes a number of other commands that you can
2679use for specialized purposes. They are similar in purpose to
2680command-line options.
2681
2682@table @code
1fb57a5d
RP
2683@kindex CONSTRUCTORS
2684@cindex C++ constructors, arranging in link
2685@cindex constructors, arranging in link
2686@item CONSTRUCTORS
a1d393cf
ILT
2687When linking using the @code{a.out} object file format, the linker uses
2688an unusual set construct to support C++ global constructors and
2689destructors. When linking object file formats which do not support
2690arbitrary sections, such as @code{ECOFF} and @code{XCOFF}, the linker
2691will automatically recognize C++ global constructors and destructors by
2692name. For these object file formats, the @code{CONSTRUCTORS} command
2693tells the linker where this information should be placed. The
2694@code{CONSTRUCTORS} command is ignored for other object file formats.
2695
2696The symbol @w{@code{__CTOR_LIST__}} marks the start of the global
2697constructors, and the symbol @w{@code{__DTOR_LIST}} marks the end. The
2698first word in the list is the number of entries, followed by the address
2699of each constructor or destructor, followed by a zero word. The
2700compiler must arrange to actually run the code. For these object file
2701formats @sc{gnu} C++ calls constructors from a subroutine @code{__main};
2702a call to @code{__main} is automatically inserted into the startup code
2703for @code{main}. @sc{gnu} C++ runs destructors either by using
2704@code{atexit}, or directly from the function @code{exit}.
2705
2706For object file formats such as @code{COFF} or @code{ELF} which support
2707multiple sections, @sc{gnu} C++ will normally arrange to put the
2708addresses of global constructors and destructors into the @code{.ctors}
2709and @code{.dtors} sections. Placing the following sequence into your
2710linker script will build the sort of table which the @sc{gnu} C++
2711runtime code expects to see.
2712
2713@smallexample
2714 __CTOR_LIST__ = .;
2715 LONG((__CTOR_END__ - __CTOR_LIST__) / 4 - 2)
2716 *(.ctors)
2717 LONG(0)
2718 __CTOR_END__ = .;
2719 __DTOR_LIST__ = .;
2720 LONG((__DTOR_END__ - __DTOR_LIST__) / 4 - 2)
2721 *(.dtors)
2722 LONG(0)
2723 __DTOR_END__ = .;
2724@end smallexample
2725
2726Normally the compiler and linker will handle these issues automatically,
2727and you will not need to concern yourself with them. However, you may
2728need to consider this if you are using C++ and writing your own linker
2729scripts.
1fb57a5d 2730
d4e5e3c3 2731@need 1000
2c5c0674 2732@kindex FLOAT
2c5c0674 2733@kindex NOFLOAT
1fb57a5d
RP
2734@item FLOAT
2735@itemx NOFLOAT
2c5c0674 2736These keywords were used in some older linkers to request a particular
246504a5 2737math subroutine library. @code{ld} doesn't use the keywords, assuming
2c5c0674
RP
2738instead that any necessary subroutines are in libraries specified using
2739the general mechanisms for linking to archives; but to permit the use of
2740scripts that were written for the older linkers, the keywords
2741@code{FLOAT} and @code{NOFLOAT} are accepted and ignored.
2742
2c5c0674
RP
2743@kindex FORCE_COMMON_ALLOCATION
2744@cindex common allocation
1fb57a5d 2745@item FORCE_COMMON_ALLOCATION
ec40bbb8 2746This command has the same effect as the @samp{-d} command-line option:
2c5c0674 2747to make @code{ld} assign space to common symbols even if a relocatable
ec40bbb8 2748output file is specified (@samp{-r}).
b4d4e8e3 2749
2c5c0674 2750@kindex INPUT ( @var{files} )
2c5c0674 2751@cindex binary input files
1fb57a5d
RP
2752@item INPUT ( @var{file}, @var{file}, @dots{} )
2753@itemx INPUT ( @var{file} @var{file} @dots{} )
2c5c0674 2754Use this command to include binary input files in the link, without
7f9ae73e
RP
2755including them in a particular section definition.
2756Specify the full name for each @var{file}, including @samp{.a} if
2757required.
2758
2759@code{ld} searches for each @var{file} through the archive-library
2760search path, just as for files you specify on the command line.
2761See the description of @samp{-L} in @ref{Options,,Command Line
2762Options}.
b4d4e8e3 2763
01bc8f35
ILT
2764If you use @samp{-l@var{file}}, @code{ld} will transform the name to
2765@code{lib@var{file}.a} as with the command line argument @samp{-l}.
2766
0b3499f6
ILT
2767@kindex GROUP ( @var{files} )
2768@cindex grouping input files
2769@item GROUP ( @var{file}, @var{file}, @dots{} )
2770@itemx GROUP ( @var{file} @var{file} @dots{} )
2771This command is like @code{INPUT}, except that the named files should
2772all be archives, and they are searched repeatedly until no new undefined
2773references are created. See the description of @samp{-(} in
2774@ref{Options,,Command Line Options}.
2775
2c5c0674 2776@ignore
2c5c0674 2777@kindex MAP ( @var{name} )
c653b370 2778@item MAP ( @var{name} )
2c5c0674
RP
2779@c MAP(...) appears to look for an F in the arg, ignoring all other
2780@c chars; if it finds one, it sets "map_option_f" to true. But nothing
2781@c checks map_option_f. Apparently a stub for the future...
2782@end ignore
b4d4e8e3 2783
2c5c0674
RP
2784@kindex OUTPUT ( @var{filename} )
2785@cindex naming the output file
c653b370 2786@item OUTPUT ( @var{filename} )
d76ae847
RP
2787Use this command to name the link output file @var{filename}. The
2788effect of @code{OUTPUT(@var{filename})} is identical to the effect of
c477527c
ILT
2789@w{@samp{-o @var{filename}}}, which overrides it. You can use this
2790command to supply a default output-file name other than @code{a.out}.
2c5c0674 2791
ec40bbb8 2792@ifclear SingleFormat
2c5c0674
RP
2793@kindex OUTPUT_ARCH ( @var{bfdname} )
2794@cindex machine architecture, output
c653b370 2795@item OUTPUT_ARCH ( @var{bfdname} )
2c5c0674
RP
2796Specify a particular output machine architecture, with one of the names
2797used by the BFD back-end routines (@pxref{BFD}). This command is often
2798unnecessary; the architecture is most often set implicitly by either the
2799system BFD configuration or as a side effect of the @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT}
ec40bbb8 2800command.
2c5c0674 2801
2c5c0674
RP
2802@kindex OUTPUT_FORMAT ( @var{bfdname} )
2803@cindex format, output file
c653b370 2804@item OUTPUT_FORMAT ( @var{bfdname} )
1fb57a5d
RP
2805When @code{ld} is configured to support multiple object code formats,
2806you can use this command to specify a particular output format.
2807@var{bfdname} is one of the names used by the BFD back-end routines
2808(@pxref{BFD}). The effect is identical to the effect of the
2809@samp{-oformat} command-line option. This selection affects only
2c5c0674 2810the output file; the related command @code{TARGET} affects primarily
ec40bbb8
DM
2811input files.
2812@end ifclear
2c5c0674 2813
2c5c0674
RP
2814@kindex SEARCH_DIR ( @var{path} )
2815@cindex path for libraries
2816@cindex search path, libraries
c653b370 2817@item SEARCH_DIR ( @var{path} )
246504a5 2818Add @var{path} to the list of paths where @code{ld} looks for
2c5c0674 2819archive libraries. @code{SEARCH_DIR(@var{path})} has the same
ec40bbb8 2820effect as @samp{-L@var{path}} on the command line.
2c5c0674 2821
2c5c0674
RP
2822@kindex STARTUP ( @var{filename} )
2823@cindex first input file
c653b370 2824@item STARTUP ( @var{filename} )
2c5c0674
RP
2825Ensure that @var{filename} is the first input file used in the link
2826process.
b4d4e8e3 2827
ec40bbb8 2828@ifclear SingleFormat
2c5c0674
RP
2829@cindex input file format
2830@kindex TARGET ( @var{format} )
c653b370 2831@item TARGET ( @var{format} )
1fb57a5d
RP
2832When @code{ld} is configured to support multiple object code formats,
2833you can use this command to change the input-file object code format
2834(like the command-line option @samp{-b} or its synonym @samp{-format}).
2835The argument @var{format} is one of the strings used by BFD to name
2836binary formats. If @code{TARGET} is specified but @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT}
2837is not, the last @code{TARGET} argument is also used as the default
2838format for the @code{ld} output file. @xref{BFD}.
2c5c0674
RP
2839
2840@kindex GNUTARGET
246504a5 2841If you don't use the @code{TARGET} command, @code{ld} uses the value of
2c5c0674 2842the environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}, if available, to select the
246504a5 2843output file format. If that variable is also absent, @code{ld} uses
2c5c0674 2844the default format configured for your machine in the BFD libraries.
ec40bbb8 2845@end ifclear
582dd77f
ILT
2846
2847@cindex cross references
2848@kindex NOCROSSREFS ( @var{sections} )
2849@item NOCROSSREFS ( @var{section} @var{section} @dots{} )
2850This command may be used to tell @code{ld} to issue an error about any
2851references among certain sections.
2852
2853In certain types of programs, particularly on embedded systems, when one
2854section is loaded into memory, another section will not be. Any direct
2855references between the two sections would be errors. For example, it
2856would be an error if code in one section called a function defined in
2857the other section.
2858
2859The @code{NOCROSSREFS} command takes a list of section names. If
2860@code{ld} detects any cross references between the sections, it reports
2861an error and returns a non-zero exit status. The @code{NOCROSSREFS}
2862command uses output section names, defined in the @code{SECTIONS}
2863command. It does not use the names of input sections.
b4d4e8e3
RP
2864@end table
2865
ec40bbb8
DM
2866@ifset GENERIC
2867@node Machine Dependent
1c48127e
RP
2868@chapter Machine Dependent Features
2869
2870@cindex machine dependencies
246504a5
RP
2871@code{ld} has additional features on some platforms; the following
2872sections describe them. Machines where @code{ld} has no additional
1c48127e
RP
2873functionality are not listed.
2874
2875@menu
246504a5
RP
2876* H8/300:: @code{ld} and the H8/300
2877* i960:: @code{ld} and the Intel 960 family
1c48127e 2878@end menu
ec40bbb8
DM
2879@end ifset
2880
7f9ae73e 2881@c FIXME! This could use @raisesections/@lowersections, but there seems to be a conflict
ec40bbb8
DM
2882@c between those and node-defaulting.
2883@ifset H8300
2884@ifclear GENERIC
7f9ae73e 2885@raisesections
ec40bbb8
DM
2886@end ifclear
2887@node H8/300
246504a5 2888@section @code{ld} and the H8/300
1c48127e
RP
2889
2890@cindex H8/300 support
246504a5 2891For the H8/300, @code{ld} can perform these global optimizations when
1c48127e
RP
2892you specify the @samp{-relax} command-line option.
2893
2894@table @emph
d76ae847 2895@cindex relaxing on H8/300
c653b370 2896@item relaxing address modes
246504a5 2897@code{ld} finds all @code{jsr} and @code{jmp} instructions whose
1c48127e
RP
2898targets are within eight bits, and turns them into eight-bit
2899program-counter relative @code{bsr} and @code{bra} instructions,
2900respectively.
2901
d76ae847 2902@cindex synthesizing on H8/300
c653b370 2903@item synthesizing instructions
1c48127e 2904@c FIXME: specifically mov.b, or any mov instructions really?
246504a5 2905@code{ld} finds all @code{mov.b} instructions which use the
1c48127e
RP
2906sixteen-bit absolute address form, but refer to the top
2907page of memory, and changes them to use the eight-bit address form.
2908(That is: the linker turns @samp{mov.b @code{@@}@var{aa}:16} into
2909@samp{mov.b @code{@@}@var{aa}:8} whenever the address @var{aa} is in the
2910top page of memory).
2911@end table
ec40bbb8 2912@ifclear GENERIC
7f9ae73e 2913@lowersections
ec40bbb8
DM
2914@end ifclear
2915@end ifset
2916
f9d3d71a
ILT
2917@ifclear GENERIC
2918@ifset Hitachi
2919@c This stuff is pointless to say unless you're especially concerned
2920@c with Hitachi chips; don't enable it for generic case, please.
2921@node Hitachi
2922@chapter @code{ld} and other Hitachi chips
2923
2924@code{ld} also supports the H8/300H, the H8/500, and the Hitachi SH. No
2925special features, commands, or command-line options are required for
2926these chips.
2927@end ifset
2928@end ifclear
2929
ec40bbb8
DM
2930@ifset I960
2931@ifclear GENERIC
7f9ae73e 2932@raisesections
ec40bbb8
DM
2933@end ifclear
2934@node i960
246504a5 2935@section @code{ld} and the Intel 960 family
1c48127e
RP
2936
2937@cindex i960 support
d76ae847 2938
1c48127e
RP
2939You can use the @samp{-A@var{architecture}} command line option to
2940specify one of the two-letter names identifying members of the 960
2941family; the option specifies the desired output target, and warns of any
2942incompatible instructions in the input files. It also modifies the
2943linker's search strategy for archive libraries, to support the use of
2944libraries specific to each particular architecture, by including in the
2945search loop names suffixed with the string identifying the architecture.
2946
246504a5 2947For example, if your @code{ld} command line included @w{@samp{-ACA}} as
1c48127e 2948well as @w{@samp{-ltry}}, the linker would look (in its built-in search
ec40bbb8 2949paths, and in any paths you specify with @samp{-L}) for a library with
1c48127e 2950the names
ec40bbb8 2951
c653b370
ILT
2952@smallexample
2953@group
1c48127e
RP
2954try
2955libtry.a
2956tryca
2957libtryca.a
c653b370
ILT
2958@end group
2959@end smallexample
ec40bbb8 2960
1c48127e
RP
2961@noindent
2962The first two possibilities would be considered in any event; the last
2963two are due to the use of @w{@samp{-ACA}}.
2964
ec40bbb8 2965You can meaningfully use @samp{-A} more than once on a command line, since
1c48127e 2966the 960 architecture family allows combination of target architectures; each
ec40bbb8 2967use will add another pair of name variants to search for when @w{@samp{-l}}
1c48127e 2968specifies a library.
1fb57a5d
RP
2969
2970@cindex @code{-relax} on i960
2971@cindex relaxing on i960
2972@code{ld} supports the @samp{-relax} option for the i960 family. If you
2973specify @samp{-relax}, @code{ld} finds all @code{balx} and @code{calx}
2974instructions whose targets are within 24 bits, and turns them into
297524-bit program-counter relative @code{bal} and @code{cal}
2976instructions, respectively. @code{ld} also turns @code{cal}
2977instructions into @code{bal} instructions when it determines that the
2978target subroutine is a leaf routine (that is, the target subroutine does
2979not itself call any subroutines).
2980
ec40bbb8 2981@ifclear GENERIC
7f9ae73e 2982@lowersections
ec40bbb8
DM
2983@end ifclear
2984@end ifset
1c48127e 2985
ec40bbb8
DM
2986@ifclear SingleFormat
2987@node BFD
f22eee08
RP
2988@chapter BFD
2989
2c5c0674
RP
2990@cindex back end
2991@cindex object file management
d4e5e3c3
DM
2992@cindex object formats available
2993@kindex objdump -i
2c5c0674
RP
2994The linker accesses object and archive files using the BFD libraries.
2995These libraries allow the linker to use the same routines to operate on
2996object files whatever the object file format. A different object file
2997format can be supported simply by creating a new BFD back end and adding
d4e5e3c3
DM
2998it to the library. To conserve runtime memory, however, the linker and
2999associated tools are usually configured to support only a subset of the
3000object file formats available. You can use @code{objdump -i}
1c48127e 3001(@pxref{objdump,,objdump,binutils.info,The GNU Binary Utilities}) to
d4e5e3c3 3002list all the formats available for your configuration.
f22eee08 3003
2c5c0674
RP
3004@cindex BFD requirements
3005@cindex requirements for BFD
3006As with most implementations, BFD is a compromise between
f22eee08 3007several conflicting requirements. The major factor influencing
2c5c0674
RP
3008BFD design was efficiency: any time used converting between
3009formats is time which would not have been spent had BFD not
f22eee08 3010been involved. This is partly offset by abstraction payback; since
2c5c0674 3011BFD simplifies applications and back ends, more time and care
f22eee08
RP
3012may be spent optimizing algorithms for a greater speed.
3013
2c5c0674
RP
3014One minor artifact of the BFD solution which you should bear in
3015mind is the potential for information loss. There are two places where
ec40bbb8 3016useful information can be lost using the BFD mechanism: during
2c5c0674
RP
3017conversion and during output. @xref{BFD information loss}.
3018
3019@menu
2d59b2c3 3020* BFD outline:: How it works: an outline of BFD
2c5c0674 3021@end menu
f22eee08 3022
ec40bbb8 3023@node BFD outline
b4d4e8e3 3024@section How it works: an outline of BFD
2c5c0674 3025@cindex opening object files
3e27cc11 3026@include bfdsumm.texi
ec40bbb8 3027@end ifclear
f22eee08 3028
ec40bbb8 3029@node MRI
2d59b2c3
RP
3030@appendix MRI Compatible Script Files
3031@cindex MRI compatibility
3032To aid users making the transition to @sc{gnu} @code{ld} from the MRI
3033linker, @code{ld} can use MRI compatible linker scripts as an
3034alternative to the more general-purpose linker scripting language
3035described in @ref{Commands,,Command Language}. MRI compatible linker
3036scripts have a much simpler command set than the scripting language
3037otherwise used with @code{ld}. @sc{gnu} @code{ld} supports the most
3038commonly used MRI linker commands; these commands are described here.
3039
867a1b8a
DM
3040In general, MRI scripts aren't of much use with the @code{a.out} object
3041file format, since it only has three sections and MRI scripts lack some
3042features to make use of them.
3043
2d59b2c3
RP
3044You can specify a file containing an MRI-compatible script using the
3045@samp{-c} command-line option.
3046
3047Each command in an MRI-compatible script occupies its own line; each
3048command line starts with the keyword that identifies the command (though
3049blank lines are also allowed for punctuation). If a line of an
3050MRI-compatible script begins with an unrecognized keyword, @code{ld}
3051issues a warning message, but continues processing the script.
3052
3053Lines beginning with @samp{*} are comments.
3054
3055You can write these commands using all upper-case letters, or all
3056lower case; for example, @samp{chip} is the same as @samp{CHIP}.
3057The following list shows only the upper-case form of each command.
3058
3059@table @code
d4e5e3c3 3060@cindex @code{ABSOLUTE} (MRI)
2d59b2c3 3061@item ABSOLUTE @var{secname}
c653b370 3062@itemx ABSOLUTE @var{secname}, @var{secname}, @dots{} @var{secname}
2d59b2c3
RP
3063Normally, @code{ld} includes in the output file all sections from all
3064the input files. However, in an MRI-compatible script, you can use the
3065@code{ABSOLUTE} command to restrict the sections that will be present in
3066your output program. If the @code{ABSOLUTE} command is used at all in a
3067script, then only the sections named explicitly in @code{ABSOLUTE}
3068commands will appear in the linker output. You can still use other
3069input sections (whatever you select on the command line, or using
7b015547 3070@code{LOAD}) to resolve addresses in the output file.
2d59b2c3 3071
2d59b2c3 3072@cindex @code{ALIAS} (MRI)
d4e5e3c3 3073@item ALIAS @var{out-secname}, @var{in-secname}
2d59b2c3
RP
3074Use this command to place the data from input section @var{in-secname}
3075in a section called @var{out-secname} in the linker output file.
3076
3077@var{in-secname} may be an integer.
3078
e54bf1c1
ILT
3079@cindex @code{ALIGN} (MRI)
3080@item ALIGN @var{secname} = @var{expression}
3081Align the section called @var{secname} to @var{expression}. The
3082@var{expression} should be a power of two.
3083
2d59b2c3 3084@cindex @code{BASE} (MRI)
d4e5e3c3 3085@item BASE @var{expression}
2d59b2c3
RP
3086Use the value of @var{expression} as the lowest address (other than
3087absolute addresses) in the output file.
3088
d4e5e3c3 3089@cindex @code{CHIP} (MRI)
2d59b2c3
RP
3090@item CHIP @var{expression}
3091@itemx CHIP @var{expression}, @var{expression}
ec40bbb8 3092This command does nothing; it is accepted only for compatibility.
2d59b2c3 3093
2d59b2c3 3094@cindex @code{END} (MRI)
d4e5e3c3 3095@item END
2d59b2c3
RP
3096This command does nothing whatever; it's only accepted for compatibility.
3097
2d59b2c3 3098@cindex @code{FORMAT} (MRI)
d4e5e3c3 3099@item FORMAT @var{output-format}
2d59b2c3
RP
3100Similar to the @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT} command in the more general linker
3101language, but restricted to one of these output formats:
d4e5e3c3 3102
2d59b2c3
RP
3103@enumerate
3104@item
3105S-records, if @var{output-format} is @samp{S}
3106
3107@item
3108IEEE, if @var{output-format} is @samp{IEEE}
3109
3110@item
3111COFF (the @samp{coff-m68k} variant in BFD), if @var{output-format} is
3112@samp{COFF}
3113@end enumerate
3114
2d59b2c3 3115@cindex @code{LIST} (MRI)
d4e5e3c3 3116@item LIST @var{anything}@dots{}
2d59b2c3
RP
3117Print (to the standard output file) a link map, as produced by the
3118@code{ld} command-line option @samp{-M}.
3119
ec40bbb8
DM
3120The keyword @code{LIST} may be followed by anything on the
3121same line, with no change in its effect.
2d59b2c3 3122
d4e5e3c3 3123@cindex @code{LOAD} (MRI)
2d59b2c3 3124@item LOAD @var{filename}
c653b370 3125@itemx LOAD @var{filename}, @var{filename}, @dots{} @var{filename}
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3126Include one or more object file @var{filename} in the link; this has the
3127same effect as specifying @var{filename} directly on the @code{ld}
3128command line.
3129
2d59b2c3 3130@cindex @code{NAME} (MRI)
d4e5e3c3 3131@item NAME @var{output-name}
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3132@var{output-name} is the name for the program produced by @code{ld}; the
3133MRI-compatible command @code{NAME} is equivalent to the command-line
3134option @samp{-o} or the general script language command @code{OUTPUT}.
3135
d4e5e3c3 3136@cindex @code{ORDER} (MRI)
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3137@item ORDER @var{secname}, @var{secname}, @dots{} @var{secname}
3138@itemx ORDER @var{secname} @var{secname} @var{secname}
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3139Normally, @code{ld} orders the sections in its output file in the
3140order in which they first appear in the input files. In an MRI-compatible
3141script, you can override this ordering with the @code{ORDER} command. The
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3142sections you list with @code{ORDER} will appear first in your output
3143file, in the order specified.
3144
d4e5e3c3 3145@cindex @code{PUBLIC} (MRI)
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3146@item PUBLIC @var{name}=@var{expression}
3147@itemx PUBLIC @var{name},@var{expression}
3148@itemx PUBLIC @var{name} @var{expression}
ec40bbb8 3149Supply a value (@var{expression}) for external symbol
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3150@var{name} used in the linker input files.
3151
d4e5e3c3 3152@cindex @code{SECT} (MRI)
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3153@item SECT @var{secname}, @var{expression}
3154@itemx SECT @var{secname}=@var{expression}
3155@itemx SECT @var{secname} @var{expression}
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3156You can use any of these three forms of the @code{SECT} command to
3157specify the start address (@var{expression}) for section @var{secname}.
3158If you have more than one @code{SECT} statement for the same
3159@var{secname}, only the @emph{first} sets the start address.
3160@end table
3161
3162
ec40bbb8 3163@node Index
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3164@unnumbered Index
3165
3166@printindex cp
3167
3168@tex
3169% I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
3170% meantime:
3171\long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
3172\centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
3173\centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
3174\centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
3175\centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
3176\centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/} and}
3177\centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
3178\centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
3179\page\colophon
c653b370 3180% Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 28mar91.
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3181@end tex
3182
3183
b4d4e8e3 3184@contents
f22eee08
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3185@bye
3186
3187
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