1999-09-19 Alexandre Oliva <oliva@lsd.ic.unicamp.br>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / binutils / binutils.texi
1 \input texinfo @c -*- Texinfo -*-
2 @setfilename binutils.info
3 @include config.texi
4
5 @ifinfo
6 @format
7 START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
8 * Binutils: (binutils). The GNU binary utilities.
9 * ar: (binutils)ar. Create, modify, and extract from archives
10 * nm: (binutils)nm. List symbols from object files
11 * objcopy: (binutils)objcopy. Copy and translate object files
12 * objdump: (binutils)objdump. Display information from object files
13 * ranlib: (binutils)ranlib. Generate index to archive contents
14 * readelf: (binutils)readelf. Display the contents of ELF format files.
15 * size: (binutils)size. List section sizes and total size
16 * strings: (binutils)strings. List printable strings from files
17 * strip: (binutils)strip. Discard symbols
18 * c++filt: (binutils)c++filt. Filter to demangle encoded C++ symbols
19 * cxxfilt: (binutils)c++filt. MS-DOS name for c++filt
20 * addr2line: (binutils)addr2line. Convert addresses to file and line
21 * nlmconv: (binutils)nlmconv. Converts object code into an NLM
22 * windres: (binutils)windres. Manipulate Windows resources
23 * dlltool: (binutils)dlltool. Create files needed to build and use DLLs
24 END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
25 @end format
26 @end ifinfo
27
28 @ifinfo
29 Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30
31 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
32 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
33 are preserved on all copies.
34
35 @ignore
36 Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
37 results, provided the printed document carries a copying permission
38 notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
39 (this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
40
41 @end ignore
42
43 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
44 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
45 the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
46 permission notice identical to this one.
47
48 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
49 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
50 @end ifinfo
51
52 @synindex ky cp
53 @c
54 @c This file documents the GNU binary utilities "ar", "ld", "objcopy",
55 @c "objdump", "nm", "size", "strings", "strip", "readelf" and "ranlib".
56 @c
57 @c Copyright (C) 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
58 @c
59 @c This text may be freely distributed under the terms of the GNU
60 @c General Public License.
61 @c
62
63 @setchapternewpage odd
64 @settitle @sc{gnu} Binary Utilities
65 @titlepage
66 @finalout
67 @title The @sc{gnu} Binary Utilities
68 @subtitle Version @value{VERSION}
69 @sp 1
70 @subtitle May 1993
71 @author Roland H. Pesch
72 @author Jeffrey M. Osier
73 @author Cygnus Support
74 @page
75
76 @tex
77 {\parskip=0pt \hfill Cygnus Support\par \hfill
78 \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par }
79 @end tex
80
81 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
82 Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 1998 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
83
84 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
85 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
86 are preserved on all copies.
87
88 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
89 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
90 the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
91 permission notice identical to this one.
92
93 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
94 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
95 @end titlepage
96
97 @node Top
98 @top Introduction
99
100 @cindex version
101 This brief manual contains preliminary documentation for the @sc{gnu} binary
102 utilities (collectively version @value{VERSION}):
103
104 @iftex
105 @table @code
106 @item ar
107 Create, modify, and extract from archives
108
109 @item nm
110 List symbols from object files
111
112 @item objcopy
113 Copy and translate object files
114
115 @item objdump
116 Display information from object files
117
118 @item ranlib
119 Generate index to archive contents
120
121 @item readelf
122 Display the contents of ELF format files.
123
124 @item size
125 List file section sizes and total size
126
127 @item strings
128 List printable strings from files
129
130 @item strip
131 Discard symbols
132
133 @item c++filt
134 Demangle encoded C++ symbols (on MS-DOS, this program is named
135 @code{cxxfilt})
136
137 @item addr2line
138 Convert addresses into file names and line numbers
139
140 @item nlmconv
141 Convert object code into a Netware Loadable Module
142
143 @item windres
144 Manipulate Windows resources
145
146 @item dlltool
147 Create the files needed to build and use Dynamic Link Libraries
148 @end table
149 @end iftex
150
151 @menu
152 * ar:: Create, modify, and extract from archives
153 * nm:: List symbols from object files
154 * objcopy:: Copy and translate object files
155 * objdump:: Display information from object files
156 * ranlib:: Generate index to archive contents
157 * readelf:: Display the contents of ELF format files.
158 * size:: List section sizes and total size
159 * strings:: List printable strings from files
160 * strip:: Discard symbols
161 * c++filt:: Filter to demangle encoded C++ symbols
162 * cxxfilt: c++filt. MS-DOS name for c++filt
163 * addr2line:: Convert addresses to file and line
164 * nlmconv:: Converts object code into an NLM
165 * windres:: Manipulate Windows resources
166 * dlltool:: Create files needed to build and use DLLs
167 * Selecting The Target System:: How these utilities determine the target.
168 * Reporting Bugs:: Reporting Bugs
169 * Index:: Index
170 @end menu
171
172 @node ar
173 @chapter ar
174
175 @kindex ar
176 @cindex archives
177 @cindex collections of files
178 @smallexample
179 ar [-]@var{p}[@var{mod} [@var{relpos}] [@var{count}]] @var{archive} [@var{member}@dots{}]
180 ar -M [ <mri-script ]
181 @end smallexample
182
183 The @sc{gnu} @code{ar} program creates, modifies, and extracts from
184 archives. An @dfn{archive} is a single file holding a collection of
185 other files in a structure that makes it possible to retrieve
186 the original individual files (called @dfn{members} of the archive).
187
188 The original files' contents, mode (permissions), timestamp, owner, and
189 group are preserved in the archive, and can be restored on
190 extraction.
191
192 @cindex name length
193 @sc{gnu} @code{ar} can maintain archives whose members have names of any
194 length; however, depending on how @code{ar} is configured on your
195 system, a limit on member-name length may be imposed for compatibility
196 with archive formats maintained with other tools. If it exists, the
197 limit is often 15 characters (typical of formats related to a.out) or 16
198 characters (typical of formats related to coff).
199
200 @cindex libraries
201 @code{ar} is considered a binary utility because archives of this sort
202 are most often used as @dfn{libraries} holding commonly needed
203 subroutines.
204
205 @cindex symbol index
206 @code{ar} creates an index to the symbols defined in relocatable
207 object modules in the archive when you specify the modifier @samp{s}.
208 Once created, this index is updated in the archive whenever @code{ar}
209 makes a change to its contents (save for the @samp{q} update operation).
210 An archive with such an index speeds up linking to the library, and
211 allows routines in the library to call each other without regard to
212 their placement in the archive.
213
214 You may use @samp{nm -s} or @samp{nm --print-armap} to list this index
215 table. If an archive lacks the table, another form of @code{ar} called
216 @code{ranlib} can be used to add just the table.
217
218 @cindex compatibility, @code{ar}
219 @cindex @code{ar} compatibility
220 @sc{gnu} @code{ar} is designed to be compatible with two different
221 facilities. You can control its activity using command-line options,
222 like the different varieties of @code{ar} on Unix systems; or, if you
223 specify the single command-line option @samp{-M}, you can control it
224 with a script supplied via standard input, like the MRI ``librarian''
225 program.
226
227 @menu
228 * ar cmdline:: Controlling @code{ar} on the command line
229 * ar scripts:: Controlling @code{ar} with a script
230 @end menu
231
232 @page
233 @node ar cmdline
234 @section Controlling @code{ar} on the command line
235
236 @smallexample
237 ar [-]@var{p}[@var{mod} [@var{relpos}] [@var{count}]] @var{archive} [@var{member}@dots{}]
238 @end smallexample
239
240 @cindex Unix compatibility, @code{ar}
241 When you use @code{ar} in the Unix style, @code{ar} insists on at least two
242 arguments to execute: one keyletter specifying the @emph{operation}
243 (optionally accompanied by other keyletters specifying
244 @emph{modifiers}), and the archive name to act on.
245
246 Most operations can also accept further @var{member} arguments,
247 specifying particular files to operate on.
248
249 @sc{gnu} @code{ar} allows you to mix the operation code @var{p} and modifier
250 flags @var{mod} in any order, within the first command-line argument.
251
252 If you wish, you may begin the first command-line argument with a
253 dash.
254
255 @cindex operations on archive
256 The @var{p} keyletter specifies what operation to execute; it may be
257 any of the following, but you must specify only one of them:
258
259 @table @code
260 @item d
261 @cindex deleting from archive
262 @emph{Delete} modules from the archive. Specify the names of modules to
263 be deleted as @var{member}@dots{}; the archive is untouched if you
264 specify no files to delete.
265
266 If you specify the @samp{v} modifier, @code{ar} lists each module
267 as it is deleted.
268
269 @item m
270 @cindex moving in archive
271 Use this operation to @emph{move} members in an archive.
272
273 The ordering of members in an archive can make a difference in how
274 programs are linked using the library, if a symbol is defined in more
275 than one member.
276
277 If no modifiers are used with @code{m}, any members you name in the
278 @var{member} arguments are moved to the @emph{end} of the archive;
279 you can use the @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} modifiers to move them to a
280 specified place instead.
281
282 @item p
283 @cindex printing from archive
284 @emph{Print} the specified members of the archive, to the standard
285 output file. If the @samp{v} modifier is specified, show the member
286 name before copying its contents to standard output.
287
288 If you specify no @var{member} arguments, all the files in the archive are
289 printed.
290
291 @item q
292 @cindex quick append to archive
293 @emph{Quick append}; Historically, add the files @var{member}@dots{} to the end of
294 @var{archive}, without checking for replacement.
295
296 The modifiers @samp{a}, @samp{b}, and @samp{i} do @emph{not} affect this
297 operation; new members are always placed at the end of the archive.
298
299 The modifier @samp{v} makes @code{ar} list each file as it is appended.
300
301 Since the point of this operation is speed, the archive's symbol table
302 index is not updated, even if it already existed; you can use @samp{ar s} or
303 @code{ranlib} explicitly to update the symbol table index.
304
305 However, too many different systems assume quick append rebuilds the
306 index, so GNU ar implements @code{q} as a synonym for @code{r}.
307
308 @item r
309 @cindex replacement in archive
310 Insert the files @var{member}@dots{} into @var{archive} (with
311 @emph{replacement}). This operation differs from @samp{q} in that any
312 previously existing members are deleted if their names match those being
313 added.
314
315 If one of the files named in @var{member}@dots{} does not exist, @code{ar}
316 displays an error message, and leaves undisturbed any existing members
317 of the archive matching that name.
318
319 By default, new members are added at the end of the file; but you may
320 use one of the modifiers @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} to request
321 placement relative to some existing member.
322
323 The modifier @samp{v} used with this operation elicits a line of
324 output for each file inserted, along with one of the letters @samp{a} or
325 @samp{r} to indicate whether the file was appended (no old member
326 deleted) or replaced.
327
328 @item t
329 @cindex contents of archive
330 Display a @emph{table} listing the contents of @var{archive}, or those
331 of the files listed in @var{member}@dots{} that are present in the
332 archive. Normally only the member name is shown; if you also want to
333 see the modes (permissions), timestamp, owner, group, and size, you can
334 request that by also specifying the @samp{v} modifier.
335
336 If you do not specify a @var{member}, all files in the archive
337 are listed.
338
339 @cindex repeated names in archive
340 @cindex name duplication in archive
341 If there is more than one file with the same name (say, @samp{fie}) in
342 an archive (say @samp{b.a}), @samp{ar t b.a fie} lists only the
343 first instance; to see them all, you must ask for a complete
344 listing---in our example, @samp{ar t b.a}.
345 @c WRS only; per Gumby, this is implementation-dependent, and in a more
346 @c recent case in fact works the other way.
347
348 @item x
349 @cindex extract from archive
350 @emph{Extract} members (named @var{member}) from the archive. You can
351 use the @samp{v} modifier with this operation, to request that
352 @code{ar} list each name as it extracts it.
353
354 If you do not specify a @var{member}, all files in the archive
355 are extracted.
356
357 @end table
358
359 A number of modifiers (@var{mod}) may immediately follow the @var{p}
360 keyletter, to specify variations on an operation's behavior:
361
362 @table @code
363 @item a
364 @cindex relative placement in archive
365 Add new files @emph{after} an existing member of the
366 archive. If you use the modifier @samp{a}, the name of an existing archive
367 member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
368 @var{archive} specification.
369
370 @item b
371 Add new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
372 archive. If you use the modifier @samp{b}, the name of an existing archive
373 member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
374 @var{archive} specification. (same as @samp{i}).
375
376 @item c
377 @cindex creating archives
378 @emph{Create} the archive. The specified @var{archive} is always
379 created if it did not exist, when you request an update. But a warning is
380 issued unless you specify in advance that you expect to create it, by
381 using this modifier.
382
383 @item f
384 Truncate names in the archive. @sc{gnu} @code{ar} will normally permit file
385 names of any length. This will cause it to create archives which are
386 not compatible with the native @code{ar} program on some systems. If
387 this is a concern, the @samp{f} modifier may be used to truncate file
388 names when putting them in the archive.
389
390 @item i
391 Insert new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
392 archive. If you use the modifier @samp{i}, the name of an existing archive
393 member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
394 @var{archive} specification. (same as @samp{b}).
395
396 @item l
397 This modifier is accepted but not used.
398 @c whaffor ar l modifier??? presumably compat; with
399 @c what???---doc@@cygnus.com, 25jan91
400
401 @item N
402 Uses the @var{count} parameter. This is used if there are multiple
403 entries in the archive with the same name. Extract or delete instance
404 @var{count} of the given name from the archive.
405
406 @item o
407 @cindex dates in archive
408 Preserve the @emph{original} dates of members when extracting them. If
409 you do not specify this modifier, files extracted from the archive
410 are stamped with the time of extraction.
411
412 @item P
413 Use the full path name when matching names in the archive. @sc{gnu}
414 @code{ar} can not create an archive with a full path name (such archives
415 are not POSIX complaint), but other archive creators can. This option
416 will cause @sc{gnu} @code{ar} to match file names using a complete path
417 name, which can be convenient when extracting a single file from an
418 archive created by another tool.
419
420 @item s
421 @cindex writing archive index
422 Write an object-file index into the archive, or update an existing one,
423 even if no other change is made to the archive. You may use this modifier
424 flag either with any operation, or alone. Running @samp{ar s} on an
425 archive is equivalent to running @samp{ranlib} on it.
426
427 @item S
428 @cindex not writing archive index
429 Do not generate an archive symbol table. This can speed up building a
430 large library in several steps. The resulting archive can not be used
431 with the linker. In order to build a symbol table, you must omit the
432 @samp{S} modifier on the last execution of @samp{ar}, or you must run
433 @samp{ranlib} on the archive.
434
435 @item u
436 @cindex updating an archive
437 Normally, @samp{ar r}@dots{} inserts all files
438 listed into the archive. If you would like to insert @emph{only} those
439 of the files you list that are newer than existing members of the same
440 names, use this modifier. The @samp{u} modifier is allowed only for the
441 operation @samp{r} (replace). In particular, the combination @samp{qu} is
442 not allowed, since checking the timestamps would lose any speed
443 advantage from the operation @samp{q}.
444
445 @item v
446 This modifier requests the @emph{verbose} version of an operation. Many
447 operations display additional information, such as filenames processed,
448 when the modifier @samp{v} is appended.
449
450 @item V
451 This modifier shows the version number of @code{ar}.
452 @end table
453
454 @node ar scripts
455 @section Controlling @code{ar} with a script
456
457 @smallexample
458 ar -M [ <@var{script} ]
459 @end smallexample
460
461 @cindex MRI compatibility, @code{ar}
462 @cindex scripts, @code{ar}
463 If you use the single command-line option @samp{-M} with @code{ar}, you
464 can control its operation with a rudimentary command language. This
465 form of @code{ar} operates interactively if standard input is coming
466 directly from a terminal. During interactive use, @code{ar} prompts for
467 input (the prompt is @samp{AR >}), and continues executing even after
468 errors. If you redirect standard input to a script file, no prompts are
469 issued, and @code{ar} abandons execution (with a nonzero exit code)
470 on any error.
471
472 The @code{ar} command language is @emph{not} designed to be equivalent
473 to the command-line options; in fact, it provides somewhat less control
474 over archives. The only purpose of the command language is to ease the
475 transition to @sc{gnu} @code{ar} for developers who already have scripts
476 written for the MRI ``librarian'' program.
477
478 The syntax for the @code{ar} command language is straightforward:
479 @itemize @bullet
480 @item
481 commands are recognized in upper or lower case; for example, @code{LIST}
482 is the same as @code{list}. In the following descriptions, commands are
483 shown in upper case for clarity.
484
485 @item
486 a single command may appear on each line; it is the first word on the
487 line.
488
489 @item
490 empty lines are allowed, and have no effect.
491
492 @item
493 comments are allowed; text after either of the characters @samp{*}
494 or @samp{;} is ignored.
495
496 @item
497 Whenever you use a list of names as part of the argument to an @code{ar}
498 command, you can separate the individual names with either commas or
499 blanks. Commas are shown in the explanations below, for clarity.
500
501 @item
502 @samp{+} is used as a line continuation character; if @samp{+} appears
503 at the end of a line, the text on the following line is considered part
504 of the current command.
505 @end itemize
506
507 Here are the commands you can use in @code{ar} scripts, or when using
508 @code{ar} interactively. Three of them have special significance:
509
510 @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE} specify a @dfn{current archive}, which is
511 a temporary file required for most of the other commands.
512
513 @code{SAVE} commits the changes so far specified by the script. Prior
514 to @code{SAVE}, commands affect only the temporary copy of the current
515 archive.
516
517 @table @code
518 @item ADDLIB @var{archive}
519 @itemx ADDLIB @var{archive} (@var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module})
520 Add all the contents of @var{archive} (or, if specified, each named
521 @var{module} from @var{archive}) to the current archive.
522
523 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
524
525 @item ADDMOD @var{member}, @var{member}, @dots{} @var{member}
526 @c FIXME! w/Replacement?? If so, like "ar r @var{archive} @var{names}"
527 @c else like "ar q..."
528 Add each named @var{member} as a module in the current archive.
529
530 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
531
532 @item CLEAR
533 Discard the contents of the current archive, canceling the effect of
534 any operations since the last @code{SAVE}. May be executed (with no
535 effect) even if no current archive is specified.
536
537 @item CREATE @var{archive}
538 Creates an archive, and makes it the current archive (required for many
539 other commands). The new archive is created with a temporary name; it
540 is not actually saved as @var{archive} until you use @code{SAVE}.
541 You can overwrite existing archives; similarly, the contents of any
542 existing file named @var{archive} will not be destroyed until @code{SAVE}.
543
544 @item DELETE @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
545 Delete each listed @var{module} from the current archive; equivalent to
546 @samp{ar -d @var{archive} @var{module} @dots{} @var{module}}.
547
548 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
549
550 @item DIRECTORY @var{archive} (@var{module}, @dots{} @var{module})
551 @itemx DIRECTORY @var{archive} (@var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}) @var{outputfile}
552 List each named @var{module} present in @var{archive}. The separate
553 command @code{VERBOSE} specifies the form of the output: when verbose
554 output is off, output is like that of @samp{ar -t @var{archive}
555 @var{module}@dots{}}. When verbose output is on, the listing is like
556 @samp{ar -tv @var{archive} @var{module}@dots{}}.
557
558 Output normally goes to the standard output stream; however, if you
559 specify @var{outputfile} as a final argument, @code{ar} directs the
560 output to that file.
561
562 @item END
563 Exit from @code{ar}, with a @code{0} exit code to indicate successful
564 completion. This command does not save the output file; if you have
565 changed the current archive since the last @code{SAVE} command, those
566 changes are lost.
567
568 @item EXTRACT @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
569 Extract each named @var{module} from the current archive, writing them
570 into the current directory as separate files. Equivalent to @samp{ar -x
571 @var{archive} @var{module}@dots{}}.
572
573 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
574
575 @ignore
576 @c FIXME Tokens but no commands???
577 @item FULLDIR
578
579 @item HELP
580 @end ignore
581
582 @item LIST
583 Display full contents of the current archive, in ``verbose'' style
584 regardless of the state of @code{VERBOSE}. The effect is like @samp{ar
585 tv @var{archive}}. (This single command is a @sc{gnu} @code{ar}
586 enhancement, rather than present for MRI compatibility.)
587
588 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
589
590 @item OPEN @var{archive}
591 Opens an existing archive for use as the current archive (required for
592 many other commands). Any changes as the result of subsequent commands
593 will not actually affect @var{archive} until you next use @code{SAVE}.
594
595 @item REPLACE @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
596 In the current archive, replace each existing @var{module} (named in
597 the @code{REPLACE} arguments) from files in the current working directory.
598 To execute this command without errors, both the file, and the module in
599 the current archive, must exist.
600
601 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
602
603 @item VERBOSE
604 Toggle an internal flag governing the output from @code{DIRECTORY}.
605 When the flag is on, @code{DIRECTORY} output matches output from
606 @samp{ar -tv }@dots{}.
607
608 @item SAVE
609 Commit your changes to the current archive, and actually save it as a
610 file with the name specified in the last @code{CREATE} or @code{OPEN}
611 command.
612
613 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
614
615 @end table
616
617 @iftex
618 @node ld
619 @chapter ld
620 @cindex linker
621 @kindex ld
622 The @sc{gnu} linker @code{ld} is now described in a separate manual.
623 @xref{Top,, Overview,, Using LD: the @sc{gnu} linker}.
624 @end iftex
625
626 @node nm
627 @chapter nm
628 @cindex symbols
629 @kindex nm
630
631 @smallexample
632 nm [ -a | --debug-syms ] [ -g | --extern-only ]
633 [ -B ] [ -C | --demangle ] [ -D | --dynamic ]
634 [ -s | --print-armap ] [ -A | -o | --print-file-name ]
635 [ -n | -v | --numeric-sort ] [ -p | --no-sort ]
636 [ -r | --reverse-sort ] [ --size-sort ] [ -u | --undefined-only ]
637 [ -t @var{radix} | --radix=@var{radix} ] [ -P | --portability ]
638 [ --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ -f @var{format} | --format=@var{format} ]
639 [ --defined-only ] [-l | --line-numbers ]
640 [ --no-demangle ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ] [ @var{objfile}@dots{} ]
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @sc{gnu} @code{nm} lists the symbols from object files @var{objfile}@dots{}.
644 If no object files are listed as arguments, @code{nm} assumes
645 @file{a.out}.
646
647 For each symbol, @code{nm} shows:
648
649 @itemize @bullet
650 @item
651 The symbol value, in the radix selected by options (see below), or
652 hexadecimal by default.
653
654 @item
655 The symbol type. At least the following types are used; others are, as
656 well, depending on the object file format. If lowercase, the symbol is
657 local; if uppercase, the symbol is global (external).
658
659 @c Some more detail on exactly what these symbol types are used for
660 @c would be nice.
661 @table @code
662 @item A
663 The symbol's value is absolute, and will not be changed by further
664 linking.
665
666 @item B
667 The symbol is in the uninitialized data section (known as BSS).
668
669 @item C
670 The symbol is common. Common symbols are uninitialized data. When
671 linking, multiple common symbols may appear with the same name. If the
672 symbol is defined anywhere, the common symbols are treated as undefined
673 references. For more details on common symbols, see the discussion of
674 --warn-common in @ref{Options,,Linker options,ld.info,The GNU linker}.
675
676 @item D
677 The symbol is in the initialized data section.
678
679 @item G
680 The symbol is in an initialized data section for small objects. Some
681 object file formats permit more efficient access to small data objects,
682 such as a global int variable as opposed to a large global array.
683
684 @item I
685 The symbol is an indirect reference to another symbol. This is a GNU
686 extension to the a.out object file format which is rarely used.
687
688 @item N
689 The symbol is a debugging symbol.
690
691 @item R
692 The symbol is in a read only data section.
693
694 @item S
695 The symbol is in an uninitialized data section for small objects.
696
697 @item T
698 The symbol is in the text (code) section.
699
700 @item U
701 The symbol is undefined.
702
703 @item W
704 The symbol is weak. When a weak defined symbol is linked with a normal
705 defined symbol, the normal defined symbol is used with no error. When a
706 weak undefined symbol is linked and the symbol is not defined, the value
707 of the weak symbol becomes zero with no error.
708
709 @item -
710 The symbol is a stabs symbol in an a.out object file. In this case, the
711 next values printed are the stabs other field, the stabs desc field, and
712 the stab type. Stabs symbols are used to hold debugging information;
713 for more information, see @ref{Top,Stabs,Stabs Overview,stabs.info, The
714 ``stabs'' debug format}.
715
716 @item ?
717 The symbol type is unknown, or object file format specific.
718 @end table
719
720 @item
721 The symbol name.
722 @end itemize
723
724 The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
725 equivalent.
726
727 @table @code
728 @item -A
729 @itemx -o
730 @itemx --print-file-name
731 @cindex input file name
732 @cindex file name
733 @cindex source file name
734 Precede each symbol by the name of the input file (or archive element)
735 in which it was found, rather than identifying the input file once only,
736 before all of its symbols.
737
738 @item -a
739 @itemx --debug-syms
740 @cindex debugging symbols
741 Display all symbols, even debugger-only symbols; normally these are not
742 listed.
743
744 @item -B
745 @cindex @code{nm} format
746 @cindex @code{nm} compatibility
747 The same as @samp{--format=bsd} (for compatibility with the MIPS @code{nm}).
748
749 @item -C
750 @itemx --demangle
751 @cindex demangling in nm
752 Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
753 Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
754 makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
755 on demangling.
756
757 @item --no-demangle
758 Do not demangle low-level symbol names. This is the default.
759
760 @item -D
761 @itemx --dynamic
762 @cindex dynamic symbols
763 Display the dynamic symbols rather than the normal symbols. This is
764 only meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
765 libraries.
766
767 @item -f @var{format}
768 @itemx --format=@var{format}
769 @cindex @code{nm} format
770 @cindex @code{nm} compatibility
771 Use the output format @var{format}, which can be @code{bsd},
772 @code{sysv}, or @code{posix}. The default is @code{bsd}.
773 Only the first character of @var{format} is significant; it can be
774 either upper or lower case.
775
776 @item -g
777 @itemx --extern-only
778 @cindex external symbols
779 Display only external symbols.
780
781 @item -l
782 @itemx --line-numbers
783 @cindex symbol line numbers
784 For each symbol, use debugging information to try to find a filename and
785 line number. For a defined symbol, look for the line number of the
786 address of the symbol. For an undefined symbol, look for the line
787 number of a relocation entry which refers to the symbol. If line number
788 information can be found, print it after the other symbol information.
789
790 @item -n
791 @itemx -v
792 @itemx --numeric-sort
793 Sort symbols numerically by their addresses, rather than alphabetically
794 by their names.
795
796 @item -p
797 @itemx --no-sort
798 @cindex sorting symbols
799 Do not bother to sort the symbols in any order; print them in the order
800 encountered.
801
802 @item -P
803 @itemx --portability
804 Use the POSIX.2 standard output format instead of the default format.
805 Equivalent to @samp{-f posix}.
806
807 @item -s
808 @itemx --print-armap
809 @cindex symbol index, listing
810 When listing symbols from archive members, include the index: a mapping
811 (stored in the archive by @code{ar} or @code{ranlib}) of which modules
812 contain definitions for which names.
813
814 @item -r
815 @itemx --reverse-sort
816 Reverse the order of the sort (whether numeric or alphabetic); let the
817 last come first.
818
819 @item --size-sort
820 Sort symbols by size. The size is computed as the difference between
821 the value of the symbol and the value of the symbol with the next higher
822 value. The size of the symbol is printed, rather than the value.
823
824 @item -t @var{radix}
825 @itemx --radix=@var{radix}
826 Use @var{radix} as the radix for printing the symbol values. It must be
827 @samp{d} for decimal, @samp{o} for octal, or @samp{x} for hexadecimal.
828
829 @item --target=@var{bfdname}
830 @cindex object code format
831 Specify an object code format other than your system's default format.
832 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
833
834 @item -u
835 @itemx --undefined-only
836 @cindex external symbols
837 @cindex undefined symbols
838 Display only undefined symbols (those external to each object file).
839
840 @item --defined-only
841 @cindex external symbols
842 @cindex undefined symbols
843 Display only defined symbols for each object file.
844
845 @item -V
846 @itemx --version
847 Show the version number of @code{nm} and exit.
848
849 @item --help
850 Show a summary of the options to @code{nm} and exit.
851 @end table
852
853 @node objcopy
854 @chapter objcopy
855
856 @smallexample
857 objcopy [ -F @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
858 [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
859 [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
860 [ -S | --strip-all ] [ -g | --strip-debug ]
861 [ -K @var{symbolname} | --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
862 [ -N @var{symbolname} | --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
863 [ -L @var{symbolname} | --localize-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
864 [ -W @var{symbolname} | --weaken-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
865 [ -x | --discard-all ] [ -X | --discard-locals ]
866 [ -b @var{byte} | --byte=@var{byte} ]
867 [ -i @var{interleave} | --interleave=@var{interleave} ]
868 [ -j @var{sectionname} | --only-section=@var{sectionname} ]
869 [ -R @var{sectionname} | --remove-section=@var{sectionname} ]
870 [ -p | --preserve-dates ] [ --debugging ]
871 [ --gap-fill=@var{val} ] [ --pad-to=@var{address} ]
872 [ --set-start=@var{val} ] [ --adjust-start=@var{incr} ]
873 [ --change-addresses=@var{incr} ]
874 [ --change-section-address=@var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val} ]
875 [ --change-section-lma=@var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val} ]
876 [ --change-section-vma=@var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val} ]
877 [ --change-warnings ] [ --no-change-warnings ]
878 [ --set-section-flags=@var{section}=@var{flags} ]
879 [ --add-section=@var{sectionname}=@var{filename} ]
880 [ --change-leading-char ] [ --remove-leading-char ]
881 [ --weaken ]
882 [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ]
883 @var{infile} [@var{outfile}]
884 @end smallexample
885
886 The @sc{gnu} @code{objcopy} utility copies the contents of an object
887 file to another. @code{objcopy} uses the @sc{gnu} @sc{bfd} Library to
888 read and write the object files. It can write the destination object
889 file in a format different from that of the source object file. The
890 exact behavior of @code{objcopy} is controlled by command-line options.
891
892 @code{objcopy} creates temporary files to do its translations and
893 deletes them afterward. @code{objcopy} uses @sc{bfd} to do all its
894 translation work; it has access to all the formats described in @sc{bfd}
895 and thus is able to recognize most formats without being told
896 explicitly. @xref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD}.
897
898 @code{objcopy} can be used to generate S-records by using an output
899 target of @samp{srec} (e.g., use @samp{-O srec}).
900
901 @code{objcopy} can be used to generate a raw binary file by using an
902 output target of @samp{binary} (e.g., use @samp{-O binary}). When
903 @code{objcopy} generates a raw binary file, it will essentially produce
904 a memory dump of the contents of the input object file. All symbols and
905 relocation information will be discarded. The memory dump will start at
906 the load address of the lowest section copied into the output file.
907
908 When generating an S-record or a raw binary file, it may be helpful to
909 use @samp{-S} to remove sections containing debugging information. In
910 some cases @samp{-R} will be useful to remove sections which contain
911 information which is not needed by the binary file.
912
913 @table @code
914 @item @var{infile}
915 @itemx @var{outfile}
916 The source and output files, respectively.
917 If you do not specify @var{outfile}, @code{objcopy} creates a
918 temporary file and destructively renames the result with
919 the name of @var{infile}.
920
921 @item -I @var{bfdname}
922 @itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
923 Consider the source file's object format to be @var{bfdname}, rather than
924 attempting to deduce it. @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
925
926 @item -O @var{bfdname}
927 @itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
928 Write the output file using the object format @var{bfdname}.
929 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
930
931 @item -F @var{bfdname}
932 @itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
933 Use @var{bfdname} as the object format for both the input and the output
934 file; i.e., simply transfer data from source to destination with no
935 translation. @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
936
937 @item -j @var{sectionname}
938 @itemx --only-section=@var{sectionname}
939 Copy only the named section from the input file to the output file.
940 This option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
941 inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
942
943 @item -R @var{sectionname}
944 @itemx --remove-section=@var{sectionname}
945 Remove any section named @var{sectionname} from the output file. This
946 option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
947 inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
948
949 @item -S
950 @itemx --strip-all
951 Do not copy relocation and symbol information from the source file.
952
953 @item -g
954 @itemx --strip-debug
955 Do not copy debugging symbols from the source file.
956
957 @item --strip-unneeded
958 Strip all symbols that are not needed for relocation processing.
959
960 @item -K @var{symbolname}
961 @itemx --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname}
962 Copy only symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may
963 be given more than once.
964
965 @item -N @var{symbolname}
966 @itemx --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname}
967 Do not copy symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option
968 may be given more than once.
969
970 @item -L @var{symbolname}
971 @itemx --localize-symbol=@var{symbolname}
972 Make symbol @var{symbolname} local to the file, so that it is not
973 visible externally. This option may be given more than once.
974
975 @item -W @var{symbolname}
976 @itemx --weaken-symbol=@var{symbolname}
977 Make symbol @var{symbolname} weak. This option may be given more than once.
978
979 @item -x
980 @itemx --discard-all
981 Do not copy non-global symbols from the source file.
982 @c FIXME any reason to prefer "non-global" to "local" here?
983
984 @item -X
985 @itemx --discard-locals
986 Do not copy compiler-generated local symbols.
987 (These usually start with @samp{L} or @samp{.}.)
988
989 @item -b @var{byte}
990 @itemx --byte=@var{byte}
991 Keep only every @var{byte}th byte of the input file (header data is not
992 affected). @var{byte} can be in the range from 0 to @var{interleave}-1,
993 where @var{interleave} is given by the @samp{-i} or @samp{--interleave}
994 option, or the default of 4. This option is useful for creating files
995 to program @sc{rom}. It is typically used with an @code{srec} output
996 target.
997
998 @item -i @var{interleave}
999 @itemx --interleave=@var{interleave}
1000 Only copy one out of every @var{interleave} bytes. Select which byte to
1001 copy with the @var{-b} or @samp{--byte} option. The default is 4.
1002 @code{objcopy} ignores this option if you do not specify either @samp{-b} or
1003 @samp{--byte}.
1004
1005 @item -p
1006 @itemx --preserve-dates
1007 Set the access and modification dates of the output file to be the same
1008 as those of the input file.
1009
1010 @item --debugging
1011 Convert debugging information, if possible. This is not the default
1012 because only certain debugging formats are supported, and the
1013 conversion process can be time consuming.
1014
1015 @item --gap-fill @var{val}
1016 Fill gaps between sections with @var{val}. This operation applies to
1017 the @emph{load address} (LMA) of the sections. It is done by increasing
1018 the size of the section with the lower address, and filling in the extra
1019 space created with @var{val}.
1020
1021 @item --pad-to @var{address}
1022 Pad the output file up to the load address @var{address}. This is
1023 done by increasing the size of the last section. The extra space is
1024 filled in with the value specified by @samp{--gap-fill} (default zero).
1025
1026 @item --set-start @var{val}
1027 Set the address of the new file to @var{val}. Not all object file
1028 formats support setting the start address.
1029
1030 @item --change-start @var{incr}
1031 @itemx --adjust-start @var{incr}
1032 @cindex changing start address
1033 Change the start address by adding @var{incr}. Not all object file
1034 formats support setting the start address.
1035
1036 @item --change-addresses @var{incr}
1037 @itemx --adjust-vma @var{incr}
1038 @cindex changing object addresses
1039 Change the VMA and LMA addresses of all sections, as well as the start
1040 address, by adding @var{incr}. Some object file formats do not permit
1041 section addresses to be changed arbitrarily. Note that this does not
1042 relocate the sections; if the program expects sections to be loaded at a
1043 certain address, and this option is used to change the sections such
1044 that they are loaded at a different address, the program may fail.
1045
1046 @item --change-section-address @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1047 @itemx --adjust-section-vma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1048 @cindex changing section address
1049 Set or change both the VMA address and the LMA address of the named
1050 @var{section}. If @samp{=} is used, the section address is set to
1051 @var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is added to or subtracted from the
1052 section address. See the comments under @samp{--change-addresses},
1053 above. If @var{section} does not exist in the input file, a warning will
1054 be issued, unless @samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1055
1056 @item --change-section-lma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1057 @cindex changing section LMA
1058 Set or change the LMA address of the named @var{section}. The LMA
1059 address is the address where the section will be loaded into memory at
1060 program load time. Normally this is the same as the VMA address, which
1061 is the address of the section at program run time, but on some systems,
1062 especially those where a program is held in ROM, the two can be
1063 different. If @samp{=} is used, the section address is set to
1064 @var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is added to or subtracted from the
1065 section address. See the comments under @samp{--change-addresses},
1066 above. If @var{section} does not exist in the input file, a warning
1067 will be issued, unless @samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1068
1069 @item --change-section-vma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1070 @cindex changing section VMA
1071 Set or change the VMA address of the named @var{section}. The VMA
1072 address is the address where the section will be located once the
1073 program has started executing. Normally this is the same as the LMA
1074 address, which is the address where the section will be loaded into
1075 memory, but on some systems, especially those where a program is held in
1076 ROM, the two can be different. If @samp{=} is used, the section address
1077 is set to @var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is added to or subtracted
1078 from the section address. See the comments under
1079 @samp{--change-addresses}, above. If @var{section} does not exist in
1080 the input file, a warning will be issued, unless
1081 @samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1082
1083 @item --change-warnings
1084 @itemx --adjust-warnings
1085 If @samp{--change-section-address} or @samp{--change-section-lma} or
1086 @samp{--change-section-vma} is used, and the named section does not
1087 exist, issue a warning. This is the default.
1088
1089 @item --no-change-warnings
1090 @itemx --no-adjust-warnings
1091 Do not issue a warning if @samp{--change-section-address} or
1092 @samp{--adjust-section-lma} or @samp{--adjust-section-vma} is used, even
1093 if the named section does not exist.
1094
1095 @item --set-section-flags @var{section}=@var{flags}
1096 Set the flags for the named section. The @var{flags} argument is a
1097 comma separated string of flag names. The recognized names are
1098 @samp{alloc}, @samp{contents}, @samp{load}, @samp{noload},
1099 @samp{readonly}, @samp{code}, @samp{data}, @samp{rom}, @samp{share}, and
1100 @samp{debug}. You can set the @samp{contents} flag for a section which
1101 does not have contents, but it is not meaningful to clear the
1102 @samp{contents} flag of a section which does have contents--just remove
1103 the section instead. Not all flags are meaningful for all object file
1104 formats.
1105
1106 @item --add-section @var{sectionname}=@var{filename}
1107 Add a new section named @var{sectionname} while copying the file. The
1108 contents of the new section are taken from the file @var{filename}. The
1109 size of the section will be the size of the file. This option only
1110 works on file formats which can support sections with arbitrary names.
1111
1112 @item --change-leading-char
1113 Some object file formats use special characters at the start of
1114 symbols. The most common such character is underscore, which compilers
1115 often add before every symbol. This option tells @code{objcopy} to
1116 change the leading character of every symbol when it converts between
1117 object file formats. If the object file formats use the same leading
1118 character, this option has no effect. Otherwise, it will add a
1119 character, or remove a character, or change a character, as
1120 appropriate.
1121
1122 @item --remove-leading-char
1123 If the first character of a global symbol is a special symbol leading
1124 character used by the object file format, remove the character. The
1125 most common symbol leading character is underscore. This option will
1126 remove a leading underscore from all global symbols. This can be useful
1127 if you want to link together objects of different file formats with
1128 different conventions for symbol names. This is different from
1129 @code{--change-leading-char} because it always changes the symbol name
1130 when appropriate, regardless of the object file format of the output
1131 file.
1132
1133 @item --weaken
1134 Change all global symbols in the file to be weak. This can be useful
1135 when building an object which will be linked against other objects using
1136 the @code{-R} option to the linker. This option is only effective when
1137 using an object file format which supports weak symbols.
1138
1139 @item -V
1140 @itemx --version
1141 Show the version number of @code{objcopy}.
1142
1143 @item -v
1144 @itemx --verbose
1145 Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
1146 archives, @samp{objcopy -V} lists all members of the archive.
1147
1148 @item --help
1149 Show a summary of the options to @code{objcopy}.
1150 @end table
1151
1152 @node objdump
1153 @chapter objdump
1154
1155 @cindex object file information
1156 @kindex objdump
1157
1158 @smallexample
1159 objdump [ -a | --archive-headers ]
1160 [ -b @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ --debugging ]
1161 [ -C | --demangle ] [ -d | --disassemble ]
1162 [ -D | --disassemble-all ] [ --disassemble-zeroes ]
1163 [ -EB | -EL | --endian=@{big | little @} ]
1164 [ -f | --file-headers ]
1165 [ -h | --section-headers | --headers ] [ -i | --info ]
1166 [ -j @var{section} | --section=@var{section} ]
1167 [ -l | --line-numbers ] [ -S | --source ]
1168 [ -m @var{machine} | --architecture=@var{machine} ]
1169 [ -M @var{options} | --disassembler-options=@var{options}]
1170 [ -p | --private-headers ]
1171 [ -r | --reloc ] [ -R | --dynamic-reloc ]
1172 [ -s | --full-contents ] [ --stabs ]
1173 [ -t | --syms ] [ -T | --dynamic-syms ] [ -x | --all-headers ]
1174 [ -w | --wide ] [ --start-address=@var{address} ]
1175 [ --stop-address=@var{address} ]
1176 [ --prefix-addresses] [ --[no-]show-raw-insn ]
1177 [ --adjust-vma=@var{offset} ]
1178 [ --version ] [ --help ]
1179 @var{objfile}@dots{}
1180 @end smallexample
1181
1182 @code{objdump} displays information about one or more object files.
1183 The options control what particular information to display. This
1184 information is mostly useful to programmers who are working on the
1185 compilation tools, as opposed to programmers who just want their
1186 program to compile and work.
1187
1188 @var{objfile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined. When you
1189 specify archives, @code{objdump} shows information on each of the member
1190 object files.
1191
1192 The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
1193 equivalent. At least one option besides @samp{-l} must be given.
1194
1195 @table @code
1196 @item -a
1197 @itemx --archive-header
1198 @cindex archive headers
1199 If any of the @var{objfile} files are archives, display the archive
1200 header information (in a format similar to @samp{ls -l}). Besides the
1201 information you could list with @samp{ar tv}, @samp{objdump -a} shows
1202 the object file format of each archive member.
1203
1204 @item --adjust-vma=@var{offset}
1205 @cindex section addresses in objdump
1206 @cindex VMA in objdump
1207 When dumping information, first add @var{offset} to all the section
1208 addresses. This is useful if the section addresses do not correspond to
1209 the symbol table, which can happen when putting sections at particular
1210 addresses when using a format which can not represent section addresses,
1211 such as a.out.
1212
1213 @item -b @var{bfdname}
1214 @itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1215 @cindex object code format
1216 Specify that the object-code format for the object files is
1217 @var{bfdname}. This option may not be necessary; @var{objdump} can
1218 automatically recognize many formats.
1219
1220 For example,
1221 @example
1222 objdump -b oasys -m vax -h fu.o
1223 @end example
1224 @noindent
1225 displays summary information from the section headers (@samp{-h}) of
1226 @file{fu.o}, which is explicitly identified (@samp{-m}) as a VAX object
1227 file in the format produced by Oasys compilers. You can list the
1228 formats available with the @samp{-i} option.
1229 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1230
1231 @item -C
1232 @itemx --demangle
1233 @cindex demangling in objdump
1234 Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
1235 Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
1236 makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
1237 on demangling.
1238
1239 @item --debugging
1240 Display debugging information. This attempts to parse debugging
1241 information stored in the file and print it out using a C like syntax.
1242 Only certain types of debugging information have been implemented.
1243
1244 @item -d
1245 @itemx --disassemble
1246 @cindex disassembling object code
1247 @cindex machine instructions
1248 Display the assembler mnemonics for the machine instructions from
1249 @var{objfile}. This option only disassembles those sections which are
1250 expected to contain instructions.
1251
1252 @item -D
1253 @itemx --disassemble-all
1254 Like @samp{-d}, but disassemble the contents of all sections, not just
1255 those expected to contain instructions.
1256
1257 @item --prefix-addresses
1258 When disassembling, print the complete address on each line. This is
1259 the older disassembly format.
1260
1261 @item --disassemble-zeroes
1262 Normally the disassembly output will skip blocks of zeroes. This
1263 option directs the disassembler to disassemble those blocks, just like
1264 any other data.
1265
1266 @item -EB
1267 @itemx -EL
1268 @itemx --endian=@{big|little@}
1269 @cindex endianness
1270 @cindex disassembly endianness
1271 Specify the endianness of the object files. This only affects
1272 disassembly. This can be useful when disassembling a file format which
1273 does not describe endianness information, such as S-records.
1274
1275 @item -f
1276 @itemx --file-header
1277 @cindex object file header
1278 Display summary information from the overall header of
1279 each of the @var{objfile} files.
1280
1281 @item -h
1282 @itemx --section-header
1283 @itemx --header
1284 @cindex section headers
1285 Display summary information from the section headers of the
1286 object file.
1287
1288 File segments may be relocated to nonstandard addresses, for example by
1289 using the @samp{-Ttext}, @samp{-Tdata}, or @samp{-Tbss} options to
1290 @code{ld}. However, some object file formats, such as a.out, do not
1291 store the starting address of the file segments. In those situations,
1292 although @code{ld} relocates the sections correctly, using @samp{objdump
1293 -h} to list the file section headers cannot show the correct addresses.
1294 Instead, it shows the usual addresses, which are implicit for the
1295 target.
1296
1297 @item --help
1298 Print a summary of the options to @code{objdump} and exit.
1299
1300 @item -i
1301 @itemx --info
1302 @cindex architectures available
1303 @cindex object formats available
1304 Display a list showing all architectures and object formats available
1305 for specification with @samp{-b} or @samp{-m}.
1306
1307 @item -j @var{name}
1308 @itemx --section=@var{name}
1309 @cindex section information
1310 Display information only for section @var{name}.
1311
1312 @item -l
1313 @itemx --line-numbers
1314 @cindex source filenames for object files
1315 Label the display (using debugging information) with the filename and
1316 source line numbers corresponding to the object code or relocs shown.
1317 Only useful with @samp{-d}, @samp{-D}, or @samp{-r}.
1318
1319 @item -m @var{machine}
1320 @itemx --architecture=@var{machine}
1321 @cindex architecture
1322 @cindex disassembly architecture
1323 Specify the architecture to use when disassembling object files. This
1324 can be useful when disassembling object files which do not describe
1325 architecture information, such as S-records. You can list the available
1326 architectures with the @samp{-i} option.
1327
1328 @item -M @var{options}
1329 @itemx --disassembler-options=@var{options}
1330 Pass target specific information to the disassembler. Only supported on
1331 some targets.
1332
1333 If the target is an ARM architecture then this switch can be used to
1334 select which register name set is used during disassembler. Specifying
1335 @samp{--disassembler-options=reg-name-std} (the default) will select the
1336 register names as used in ARM's instruction set documentation, but with
1337 register 13 called 'sp', register 14 called 'lr' and register 15 called
1338 'pc'. Specifying @samp{--disassembler-options=reg-names-apcs} will
1339 select the name set used by the ARM Procedure Call Standard, whilst
1340 specifying @samp{--disassembler-options=reg-names-raw} will just use
1341 @samp{r} followed by the register number.
1342
1343 @item -p
1344 @itemx --private-headers
1345 Print information that is specific to the object file format. The exact
1346 information printed depends upon the object file format. For some
1347 object file formats, no additional information is printed.
1348
1349 @item -r
1350 @itemx --reloc
1351 @cindex relocation entries, in object file
1352 Print the relocation entries of the file. If used with @samp{-d} or
1353 @samp{-D}, the relocations are printed interspersed with the
1354 disassembly.
1355
1356 @item -R
1357 @itemx --dynamic-reloc
1358 @cindex dynamic relocation entries, in object file
1359 Print the dynamic relocation entries of the file. This is only
1360 meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
1361 libraries.
1362
1363 @item -s
1364 @itemx --full-contents
1365 @cindex sections, full contents
1366 @cindex object file sections
1367 Display the full contents of any sections requested.
1368
1369 @item -S
1370 @itemx --source
1371 @cindex source disassembly
1372 @cindex disassembly, with source
1373 Display source code intermixed with disassembly, if possible. Implies
1374 @samp{-d}.
1375
1376 @item --show-raw-insn
1377 When disassembling instructions, print the instruction in hex as well as
1378 in symbolic form. This is the default except when
1379 @code{--prefix-addresses} is used.
1380
1381 @item --no-show-raw-insn
1382 When disassembling instructions, do not print the instruction bytes.
1383 This is the default when @code{--prefix-addresses} is used.
1384
1385 @item --stabs
1386 @cindex stab
1387 @cindex .stab
1388 @cindex debug symbols
1389 @cindex ELF object file format
1390 Display the full contents of any sections requested. Display the
1391 contents of the .stab and .stab.index and .stab.excl sections from an
1392 ELF file. This is only useful on systems (such as Solaris 2.0) in which
1393 @code{.stab} debugging symbol-table entries are carried in an ELF
1394 section. In most other file formats, debugging symbol-table entries are
1395 interleaved with linkage symbols, and are visible in the @samp{--syms}
1396 output. For more information on stabs symbols, see @ref{Top,Stabs,Stabs
1397 Overview,stabs.info, The ``stabs'' debug format}.
1398
1399 @item --start-address=@var{address}
1400 @cindex start-address
1401 Start displaying data at the specified address. This affects the output
1402 of the @code{-d}, @code{-r} and @code{-s} options.
1403
1404 @item --stop-address=@var{address}
1405 @cindex stop-address
1406 Stop displaying data at the specified address. This affects the output
1407 of the @code{-d}, @code{-r} and @code{-s} options.
1408
1409 @item -t
1410 @itemx --syms
1411 @cindex symbol table entries, printing
1412 Print the symbol table entries of the file.
1413 This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm} program.
1414
1415 @item -T
1416 @itemx --dynamic-syms
1417 @cindex dynamic symbol table entries, printing
1418 Print the dynamic symbol table entries of the file. This is only
1419 meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
1420 libraries. This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm}
1421 program when given the @samp{-D} (@samp{--dynamic}) option.
1422
1423 @item --version
1424 Print the version number of @code{objdump} and exit.
1425
1426 @item -x
1427 @itemx --all-header
1428 @cindex all header information, object file
1429 @cindex header information, all
1430 Display all available header information, including the symbol table and
1431 relocation entries. Using @samp{-x} is equivalent to specifying all of
1432 @samp{-a -f -h -r -t}.
1433
1434 @item -w
1435 @itemx --wide
1436 @cindex wide output, printing
1437 Format some lines for output devices that have more than 80 columns.
1438 @end table
1439
1440 @node ranlib
1441 @chapter ranlib
1442
1443 @kindex ranlib
1444 @cindex archive contents
1445 @cindex symbol index
1446
1447 @smallexample
1448 ranlib [-vV] @var{archive}
1449 @end smallexample
1450
1451 @code{ranlib} generates an index to the contents of an archive and
1452 stores it in the archive. The index lists each symbol defined by a
1453 member of an archive that is a relocatable object file.
1454
1455 You may use @samp{nm -s} or @samp{nm --print-armap} to list this index.
1456
1457 An archive with such an index speeds up linking to the library and
1458 allows routines in the library to call each other without regard to
1459 their placement in the archive.
1460
1461 The @sc{gnu} @code{ranlib} program is another form of @sc{gnu} @code{ar}; running
1462 @code{ranlib} is completely equivalent to executing @samp{ar -s}.
1463 @xref{ar}.
1464
1465 @table @code
1466 @item -v
1467 @itemx -V
1468 Show the version number of @code{ranlib}.
1469 @end table
1470
1471 @node size
1472 @chapter size
1473
1474 @kindex size
1475 @cindex section sizes
1476
1477 @smallexample
1478 size [ -A | -B | --format=@var{compatibility} ]
1479 [ --help ] [ -d | -o | -x | --radix=@var{number} ]
1480 [ --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ -V | --version ]
1481 [ @var{objfile}@dots{} ]
1482 @end smallexample
1483
1484 The @sc{gnu} @code{size} utility lists the section sizes---and the total
1485 size---for each of the object or archive files @var{objfile} in its
1486 argument list. By default, one line of output is generated for each
1487 object file or each module in an archive.
1488
1489 @var{objfile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined.
1490 If none are specified, the file @code{a.out} will be used.
1491
1492 The command line options have the following meanings:
1493
1494 @table @code
1495 @item -A
1496 @itemx -B
1497 @itemx --format=@var{compatibility}
1498 @cindex @code{size} display format
1499 Using one of these options, you can choose whether the output from @sc{gnu}
1500 @code{size} resembles output from System V @code{size} (using @samp{-A},
1501 or @samp{--format=sysv}), or Berkeley @code{size} (using @samp{-B}, or
1502 @samp{--format=berkeley}). The default is the one-line format similar to
1503 Berkeley's.
1504 @c Bonus for doc-source readers: you can also say --format=strange (or
1505 @c anything else that starts with 's') for sysv, and --format=boring (or
1506 @c anything else that starts with 'b') for Berkeley.
1507
1508 Here is an example of the Berkeley (default) format of output from
1509 @code{size}:
1510 @smallexample
1511 size --format=Berkeley ranlib size
1512 text data bss dec hex filename
1513 294880 81920 11592 388392 5ed28 ranlib
1514 294880 81920 11888 388688 5ee50 size
1515 @end smallexample
1516
1517 @noindent
1518 This is the same data, but displayed closer to System V conventions:
1519
1520 @smallexample
1521 size --format=SysV ranlib size
1522 ranlib :
1523 section size addr
1524 .text 294880 8192
1525 .data 81920 303104
1526 .bss 11592 385024
1527 Total 388392
1528
1529
1530 size :
1531 section size addr
1532 .text 294880 8192
1533 .data 81920 303104
1534 .bss 11888 385024
1535 Total 388688
1536 @end smallexample
1537
1538 @item --help
1539 Show a summary of acceptable arguments and options.
1540
1541 @item -d
1542 @itemx -o
1543 @itemx -x
1544 @itemx --radix=@var{number}
1545 @cindex @code{size} number format
1546 @cindex radix for section sizes
1547 Using one of these options, you can control whether the size of each
1548 section is given in decimal (@samp{-d}, or @samp{--radix=10}); octal
1549 (@samp{-o}, or @samp{--radix=8}); or hexadecimal (@samp{-x}, or
1550 @samp{--radix=16}). In @samp{--radix=@var{number}}, only the three
1551 values (8, 10, 16) are supported. The total size is always given in two
1552 radices; decimal and hexadecimal for @samp{-d} or @samp{-x} output, or
1553 octal and hexadecimal if you're using @samp{-o}.
1554
1555 @item --target=@var{bfdname}
1556 @cindex object code format
1557 Specify that the object-code format for @var{objfile} is
1558 @var{bfdname}. This option may not be necessary; @code{size} can
1559 automatically recognize many formats.
1560 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1561
1562 @item -V
1563 @itemx --version
1564 Display the version number of @code{size}.
1565 @end table
1566
1567 @node strings
1568 @chapter strings
1569 @kindex strings
1570 @cindex listings strings
1571 @cindex printing strings
1572 @cindex strings, printing
1573
1574 @smallexample
1575 strings [-afov] [-@var{min-len}] [-n @var{min-len}] [-t @var{radix}] [-]
1576 [--all] [--print-file-name] [--bytes=@var{min-len}]
1577 [--radix=@var{radix}] [--target=@var{bfdname}]
1578 [--help] [--version] @var{file}@dots{}
1579 @end smallexample
1580
1581 For each @var{file} given, @sc{gnu} @code{strings} prints the printable
1582 character sequences that are at least 4 characters long (or the number
1583 given with the options below) and are followed by an unprintable
1584 character. By default, it only prints the strings from the initialized
1585 and loaded sections of object files; for other types of files, it prints
1586 the strings from the whole file.
1587
1588 @code{strings} is mainly useful for determining the contents of non-text
1589 files.
1590
1591 @table @code
1592 @item -a
1593 @itemx --all
1594 @itemx -
1595 Do not scan only the initialized and loaded sections of object files;
1596 scan the whole files.
1597
1598 @item -f
1599 @itemx --print-file-name
1600 Print the name of the file before each string.
1601
1602 @item --help
1603 Print a summary of the program usage on the standard output and exit.
1604
1605 @item -@var{min-len}
1606 @itemx -n @var{min-len}
1607 @itemx --bytes=@var{min-len}
1608 Print sequences of characters that are at least @var{min-len} characters
1609 long, instead of the default 4.
1610
1611 @item -o
1612 Like @samp{-t o}. Some other versions of @code{strings} have @samp{-o}
1613 act like @samp{-t d} instead. Since we can not be compatible with both
1614 ways, we simply chose one.
1615
1616 @item -t @var{radix}
1617 @itemx --radix=@var{radix}
1618 Print the offset within the file before each string. The single
1619 character argument specifies the radix of the offset---@samp{o} for
1620 octal, @samp{x} for hexadecimal, or @samp{d} for decimal.
1621
1622 @item --target=@var{bfdname}
1623 @cindex object code format
1624 Specify an object code format other than your system's default format.
1625 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1626
1627 @item -v
1628 @itemx --version
1629 Print the program version number on the standard output and exit.
1630 @end table
1631
1632 @node strip
1633 @chapter strip
1634
1635 @kindex strip
1636 @cindex removing symbols
1637 @cindex discarding symbols
1638 @cindex symbols, discarding
1639
1640 @smallexample
1641 strip [ -F @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
1642 [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1643 [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1644 [ -s | --strip-all ] [ -S | -g | --strip-debug ]
1645 [ -K @var{symbolname} | --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
1646 [ -N @var{symbolname} | --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
1647 [ -x | --discard-all ] [ -X | --discard-locals ]
1648 [ -R @var{sectionname} | --remove-section=@var{sectionname} ]
1649 [ -o @var{file} ] [ -p | --preserve-dates ]
1650 [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ]
1651 @var{objfile}@dots{}
1652 @end smallexample
1653
1654 @sc{gnu} @code{strip} discards all symbols from object files
1655 @var{objfile}. The list of object files may include archives.
1656 At least one object file must be given.
1657
1658 @code{strip} modifies the files named in its argument,
1659 rather than writing modified copies under different names.
1660
1661 @table @code
1662 @item -F @var{bfdname}
1663 @itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1664 Treat the original @var{objfile} as a file with the object
1665 code format @var{bfdname}, and rewrite it in the same format.
1666 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1667
1668 @item --help
1669 Show a summary of the options to @code{strip} and exit.
1670
1671 @item -I @var{bfdname}
1672 @itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
1673 Treat the original @var{objfile} as a file with the object
1674 code format @var{bfdname}.
1675 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1676
1677 @item -O @var{bfdname}
1678 @itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
1679 Replace @var{objfile} with a file in the output format @var{bfdname}.
1680 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1681
1682 @item -R @var{sectionname}
1683 @itemx --remove-section=@var{sectionname}
1684 Remove any section named @var{sectionname} from the output file. This
1685 option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
1686 inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
1687
1688 @item -s
1689 @itemx --strip-all
1690 Remove all symbols.
1691
1692 @item -g
1693 @itemx -S
1694 @itemx --strip-debug
1695 Remove debugging symbols only.
1696
1697 @item --strip-unneeded
1698 Remove all symbols that are not needed for relocation processing.
1699
1700 @item -K @var{symbolname}
1701 @itemx --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname}
1702 Keep only symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may
1703 be given more than once.
1704
1705 @item -N @var{symbolname}
1706 @itemx --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname}
1707 Remove symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may be
1708 given more than once, and may be combined with strip options other than
1709 @code{-K}.
1710
1711 @item -o @var{file}
1712 Put the stripped output in @var{file}, rather than replacing the
1713 existing file. When this argument is used, only one @var{objfile}
1714 argument may be specified.
1715
1716 @item -p
1717 @itemx --preserve-dates
1718 Preserve the access and modification dates of the file.
1719
1720 @item -x
1721 @itemx --discard-all
1722 Remove non-global symbols.
1723
1724 @item -X
1725 @itemx --discard-locals
1726 Remove compiler-generated local symbols.
1727 (These usually start with @samp{L} or @samp{.}.)
1728
1729 @item -V
1730 @itemx --version
1731 Show the version number for @code{strip}.
1732
1733 @item -v
1734 @itemx --verbose
1735 Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
1736 archives, @samp{strip -v} lists all members of the archive.
1737 @end table
1738
1739 @node c++filt, addr2line, strip, Top
1740 @chapter c++filt
1741
1742 @kindex c++filt
1743 @cindex demangling C++ symbols
1744
1745 @smallexample
1746 c++filt [ -_ | --strip-underscores ]
1747 [ -j | --java ]
1748 [ -n | --no-strip-underscores ]
1749 [ -s @var{format} | --format=@var{format} ]
1750 [ --help ] [ --version ] [ @var{symbol}@dots{} ]
1751 @end smallexample
1752
1753 @kindex cxxfilt
1754 The C++ and Java languages provides function overloading, which means
1755 that you can write many functions with the same name (providing each
1756 takes parameters of different types). All C++ and Java function names
1757 are encoded into a low-level assembly label (this process is known as
1758 @dfn{mangling}). The @code{c++filt}
1759 @footnote{MS-DOS does not allow @kbd{+} characters in file names, so on
1760 MS-DOS this program is named @code{cxxfilt}.}
1761 program does the inverse mapping: it decodes (@dfn{demangles}) low-level
1762 names into user-level names so that the linker can keep these overloaded
1763 functions from clashing.
1764
1765 Every alphanumeric word (consisting of letters, digits, underscores,
1766 dollars, or periods) seen in the input is a potential label. If the
1767 label decodes into a C++ name, the C++ name replaces the low-level
1768 name in the output.
1769
1770 You can use @code{c++filt} to decipher individual symbols:
1771
1772 @example
1773 c++filt @var{symbol}
1774 @end example
1775
1776 If no @var{symbol} arguments are given, @code{c++filt} reads symbol
1777 names from the standard input and writes the demangled names to the
1778 standard output. All results are printed on the standard output.
1779
1780 @table @code
1781 @item -_
1782 @itemx --strip-underscores
1783 On some systems, both the C and C++ compilers put an underscore in front
1784 of every name. For example, the C name @code{foo} gets the low-level
1785 name @code{_foo}. This option removes the initial underscore. Whether
1786 @code{c++filt} removes the underscore by default is target dependent.
1787
1788 @item -j
1789 @itemx --java
1790 Prints demangled names using Java syntax. The default is to use C++
1791 syntax.
1792
1793 @item -n
1794 @itemx --no-strip-underscores
1795 Do not remove the initial underscore.
1796
1797 @item -s @var{format}
1798 @itemx --format=@var{format}
1799 @sc{gnu} @code{nm} can decode three different methods of mangling, used by
1800 different C++ compilers. The argument to this option selects which
1801 method it uses:
1802
1803 @table @code
1804 @item gnu
1805 the one used by the @sc{gnu} compiler (the default method)
1806 @item lucid
1807 the one used by the Lucid compiler
1808 @item arm
1809 the one specified by the C++ Annotated Reference Manual
1810 @item hp
1811 the one used by the HP compiler
1812 @item edg
1813 the one used by the EDG compiler
1814 @end table
1815
1816 @item --help
1817 Print a summary of the options to @code{c++filt} and exit.
1818
1819 @item --version
1820 Print the version number of @code{c++filt} and exit.
1821 @end table
1822
1823 @quotation
1824 @emph{Warning:} @code{c++filt} is a new utility, and the details of its
1825 user interface are subject to change in future releases. In particular,
1826 a command-line option may be required in the the future to decode a name
1827 passed as an argument on the command line; in other words,
1828
1829 @example
1830 c++filt @var{symbol}
1831 @end example
1832
1833 @noindent
1834 may in a future release become
1835
1836 @example
1837 c++filt @var{option} @var{symbol}
1838 @end example
1839 @end quotation
1840
1841 @node addr2line
1842 @chapter addr2line
1843
1844 @kindex addr2line
1845 @cindex address to file name and line number
1846
1847 @smallexample
1848 addr2line [ -b @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
1849 [ -C | --demangle ]
1850 [ -e @var{filename} | --exe=@var{filename} ]
1851 [ -f | --functions ] [ -s | --basename ]
1852 [ -H | --help ] [ -V | --version ]
1853 [ addr addr ... ]
1854 @end smallexample
1855
1856 @code{addr2line} translates program addresses into file names and line
1857 numbers. Given an address and an executable, it uses the debugging
1858 information in the executable to figure out which file name and line
1859 number are associated with a given address.
1860
1861 The executable to use is specified with the @code{-e} option. The
1862 default is @file{a.out}.
1863
1864 @code{addr2line} has two modes of operation.
1865
1866 In the first, hexadecimal addresses are specified on the command line,
1867 and @code{addr2line} displays the file name and line number for each
1868 address.
1869
1870 In the second, @code{addr2line} reads hexadecimal addresses from
1871 standard input, and prints the file name and line number for each
1872 address on standard output. In this mode, @code{addr2line} may be used
1873 in a pipe to convert dynamically chosen addresses.
1874
1875 The format of the output is @samp{FILENAME:LINENO}. The file name and
1876 line number for each address is printed on a separate line. If the
1877 @code{-f} option is used, then each @samp{FILENAME:LINENO} line is
1878 preceded by a @samp{FUNCTIONNAME} line which is the name of the function
1879 containing the address.
1880
1881 If the file name or function name can not be determined,
1882 @code{addr2line} will print two question marks in their place. If the
1883 line number can not be determined, @code{addr2line} will print 0.
1884
1885 The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
1886 equivalent.
1887
1888 @table @code
1889 @item -b @var{bfdname}
1890 @itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1891 @cindex object code format
1892 Specify that the object-code format for the object files is
1893 @var{bfdname}.
1894
1895 @item -C
1896 @itemx --demangle
1897 @cindex demangling in objdump
1898 Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
1899 Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
1900 makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
1901 on demangling.
1902
1903 @item -e @var{filename}
1904 @itemx --exe=@var{filename}
1905 Specify the name of the executable for which addresses should be
1906 translated. The default file is @file{a.out}.
1907
1908 @item -f
1909 @itemx --functions
1910 Display function names as well as file and line number information.
1911
1912 @item -s
1913 @itemx --basenames
1914 Display only the base of each file name.
1915 @end table
1916
1917 @node nlmconv
1918 @chapter nlmconv
1919
1920 @code{nlmconv} converts a relocatable object file into a NetWare
1921 Loadable Module.
1922
1923 @ignore
1924 @code{nlmconv} currently works with @samp{i386} object
1925 files in @code{coff}, @sc{elf}, or @code{a.out} format, and @sc{SPARC}
1926 object files in @sc{elf}, or @code{a.out} format@footnote{
1927 @code{nlmconv} should work with any @samp{i386} or @sc{sparc} object
1928 format in the Binary File Descriptor library. It has only been tested
1929 with the above formats.}.
1930 @end ignore
1931
1932 @quotation
1933 @emph{Warning:} @code{nlmconv} is not always built as part of the binary
1934 utilities, since it is only useful for NLM targets.
1935 @end quotation
1936
1937 @smallexample
1938 nlmconv [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1939 [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1940 [ -T @var{headerfile} | --header-file=@var{headerfile} ]
1941 [ -d | --debug] [ -l @var{linker} | --linker=@var{linker} ]
1942 [ -h | --help ] [ -V | --version ]
1943 @var{infile} @var{outfile}
1944 @end smallexample
1945
1946 @code{nlmconv} converts the relocatable @samp{i386} object file
1947 @var{infile} into the NetWare Loadable Module @var{outfile}, optionally
1948 reading @var{headerfile} for NLM header information. For instructions
1949 on writing the NLM command file language used in header files, see the
1950 @samp{linkers} section, @samp{NLMLINK} in particular, of the @cite{NLM
1951 Development and Tools Overview}, which is part of the NLM Software
1952 Developer's Kit (``NLM SDK''), available from Novell, Inc.
1953 @code{nlmconv} uses the @sc{gnu} Binary File Descriptor library to read
1954 @var{infile}; see @ref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD}, for
1955 more information.
1956
1957 @code{nlmconv} can perform a link step. In other words, you can list
1958 more than one object file for input if you list them in the definitions
1959 file (rather than simply specifying one input file on the command line).
1960 In this case, @code{nlmconv} calls the linker for you.
1961
1962 @table @code
1963 @item -I @var{bfdname}
1964 @itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
1965 Object format of the input file. @code{nlmconv} can usually determine
1966 the format of a given file (so no default is necessary).
1967 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1968
1969 @item -O @var{bfdname}
1970 @itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
1971 Object format of the output file. @code{nlmconv} infers the output
1972 format based on the input format, e.g. for a @samp{i386} input file the
1973 output format is @samp{nlm32-i386}.
1974 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1975
1976 @item -T @var{headerfile}
1977 @itemx --header-file=@var{headerfile}
1978 Reads @var{headerfile} for NLM header information. For instructions on
1979 writing the NLM command file language used in header files, see@ see the
1980 @samp{linkers} section, of the @cite{NLM Development and Tools
1981 Overview}, which is part of the NLM Software Developer's Kit, available
1982 from Novell, Inc.
1983
1984 @item -d
1985 @itemx --debug
1986 Displays (on standard error) the linker command line used by @code{nlmconv}.
1987
1988 @item -l @var{linker}
1989 @itemx --linker=@var{linker}
1990 Use @var{linker} for any linking. @var{linker} can be an absolute or a
1991 relative pathname.
1992
1993 @item -h
1994 @itemx --help
1995 Prints a usage summary.
1996
1997 @item -V
1998 @itemx --version
1999 Prints the version number for @code{nlmconv}.
2000 @end table
2001
2002 @node windres
2003 @chapter windres
2004
2005 @code{windres} may be used to manipulate Windows resources.
2006
2007 @quotation
2008 @emph{Warning:} @code{windres} is not always built as part of the binary
2009 utilities, since it is only useful for Windows targets.
2010 @end quotation
2011
2012 @smallexample
2013 windres [options] [input-file] [output-file]
2014 @end smallexample
2015
2016 @code{windres} reads resources from an input file and copies them into
2017 an output file. Either file may be in one of three formats:
2018
2019 @table @code
2020 @item rc
2021 A text format read by the Resource Compiler.
2022
2023 @item res
2024 A binary format generated by the Resource Compiler.
2025
2026 @item coff
2027 A COFF object or executable.
2028 @end table
2029
2030 The exact description of these different formats is available in
2031 documentation from Microsoft.
2032
2033 When @code{windres} converts from the @code{rc} format to the @code{res}
2034 format, it is acting like the Windows Resource Compiler. When
2035 @code{windres} converts from the @code{res} format to the @code{coff}
2036 format, it is acting like the Windows @code{CVTRES} program.
2037
2038 When @code{windres} generates an @code{rc} file, the output is similar
2039 but not identical to the format expected for the input. When an input
2040 @code{rc} file refers to an external filename, an output @code{rc} file
2041 will instead include the file contents.
2042
2043 If the input or output format is not specified, @code{windres} will
2044 guess based on the file name, or, for the input file, the file contents.
2045 A file with an extension of @file{.rc} will be treated as an @code{rc}
2046 file, a file with an extension of @file{.res} will be treated as a
2047 @code{res} file, and a file with an extension of @file{.o} or
2048 @file{.exe} will be treated as a @code{coff} file.
2049
2050 If no output file is specified, @code{windres} will print the resources
2051 in @code{rc} format to standard output.
2052
2053 The normal use is for you to write an @code{rc} file, use @code{windres}
2054 to convert it to a COFF object file, and then link the COFF file into
2055 your application. This will make the resources described in the
2056 @code{rc} file available to Windows.
2057
2058 @table @code
2059 @item -i @var{filename}
2060 @itemx --input @var{filename}
2061 The name of the input file. If this option is not used, then
2062 @code{windres} will use the first non-option argument as the input file
2063 name. If there are no non-option arguments, then @code{windres} will
2064 read from standard input. @code{windres} can not read a COFF file from
2065 standard input.
2066
2067 @item -o @var{filename}
2068 @itemx --output @var{filename}
2069 The name of the output file. If this option is not used, then
2070 @code{windres} will use the first non-option argument, after any used
2071 for the input file name, as the output file name. If there is no
2072 non-option argument, then @code{windres} will write to standard output.
2073 @code{windres} can not write a COFF file to standard output.
2074
2075 @item -I @var{format}
2076 @itemx --input-format @var{format}
2077 The input format to read. @var{format} may be @samp{res}, @samp{rc}, or
2078 @samp{coff}. If no input format is specified, @code{windres} will
2079 guess, as described above.
2080
2081 @item -O @var{format}
2082 @itemx --output-format @var{format}
2083 The output format to generate. @var{format} may be @samp{res},
2084 @samp{rc}, or @samp{coff}. If no output format is specified,
2085 @code{windres} will guess, as described above.
2086
2087 @item -F @var{target}
2088 @itemx --target @var{target}
2089 Specify the BFD format to use for a COFF file as input or output. This
2090 is a BFD target name; you can use the @code{--help} option to see a list
2091 of supported targets. Normally @code{windres} will use the default
2092 format, which is the first one listed by the @code{--help} option.
2093 @ref{Target Selection}.
2094
2095 @item --preprocessor @var{program}
2096 When @code{windres} reads an @code{rc} file, it runs it through the C
2097 preprocessor first. This option may be used to specify the preprocessor
2098 to use, including any leading arguments. The default preprocessor
2099 argument is @code{gcc -E -xc-header -DRC_INVOKED}.
2100
2101 @item --include-dir @var{directory}
2102 Specify an include directory to use when reading an @code{rc} file.
2103 @code{windres} will pass this to the preprocessor as an @code{-I}
2104 option. @code{windres} will also search this directory when looking for
2105 files named in the @code{rc} file.
2106
2107 @item -D @var{target}
2108 @itemx --define @var{sym}[=@var{val}]
2109 Specify a @code{-D} option to pass to the preprocessor when reading an
2110 @code{rc} file.
2111
2112 @item -v
2113 Enable verbose mode. This tells you what the preprocessor is if you
2114 didn't specify one.
2115
2116 @item --language @var{val}
2117 Specify the default language to use when reading an @code{rc} file.
2118 @var{val} should be a hexadecimal language code. The low eight bits are
2119 the language, and the high eight bits are the sublanguage.
2120
2121 @item --help
2122 Prints a usage summary.
2123
2124 @item --version
2125 Prints the version number for @code{windres}.
2126
2127 @item --yydebug
2128 If @code{windres} is compiled with @code{YYDEBUG} defined as @code{1},
2129 this will turn on parser debugging.
2130 @end table
2131
2132
2133 @node dlltool
2134 @chapter Create files needed to build and use DLLs
2135 @cindex DLL
2136 @kindex dlltool
2137
2138 @code{dlltool} may be used to create the files needed to build and use
2139 dynamic link libraries (DLLs).
2140
2141 @quotation
2142 @emph{Warning:} @code{dlltool} is not always built as part of the binary
2143 utilities, since it is only useful for those targets which support DLLs.
2144 @end quotation
2145
2146 @smallexample
2147 dlltool [-d|--input-def @var{def-file-name}]
2148 [-b|--base-file @var{base-file-name}]
2149 [-e|--output-exp @var{exports-file-name}]
2150 [-z|--output-def @var{def-file-name}]
2151 [-l|--output-lib @var{library-file-name}]
2152 [--export-all-symbols] [--no-export-all-symbols]
2153 [--exclude-symbols @var{list}]
2154 [--no-default-excludes]
2155 [-S|--as @var{path-to-assembler}] [-f|--as-flags @var{options}]
2156 [-D|--dllname @var{name}] [-m|--machine @var{machine}]
2157 [-a|--add-indirect] [-U|--add-underscore] [-k|--kill-at]
2158 [-A|--add-stdcall-alias]
2159 [-x|--no-idata4] [-c|--no-idata5] [-i|--interwork]
2160 [-n|--nodelete] [-v|--verbose] [-h|--help] [-V|--version]
2161 [object-file @dots{}]
2162 @end smallexample
2163
2164 @code{dlltool} reads its inputs, which can come from the @samp{-d} and
2165 @samp{-b} options as well as object files specified on the command
2166 line. It then processes these inputs and if the @samp{-e} option has
2167 been specified it creates a exports file. If the @samp{-l} option
2168 has been specified it creates a library file and if the @samp{-z} option
2169 has been specified it creates a def file. Any or all of the -e, -l
2170 and -z options can be present in one invocation of dlltool.
2171
2172 When creating a DLL, along with the source for the DLL, it is necessary
2173 to have three other files. @code{dlltool} can help with the creation of
2174 these files.
2175
2176 The first file is a @samp{.def} file which specifies which functions are
2177 exported from the DLL, which functions the DLL imports, and so on. This
2178 is a text file and can be created by hand, or @code{dlltool} can be used
2179 to create it using the @samp{-z} option. In this case @code{dlltool}
2180 will scan the object files specified on its command line looking for
2181 those functions which have been specially marked as being exported and
2182 put entries for them in the .def file it creates.
2183
2184 In order to mark a function as being exported from a DLL, it needs to
2185 have an @samp{-export:<name_of_function>} entry in the @samp{.drectve}
2186 section of the object file. This can be done in C by using the
2187 asm() operator:
2188
2189 @smallexample
2190 asm (".section .drectve");
2191 asm (".ascii \"-export:my_func\"");
2192
2193 int my_func (void) @{ @dots{} @}
2194 @end smallexample
2195
2196 The second file needed for DLL creation is an exports file. This file
2197 is linked with the object files that make up the body of the DLL and it
2198 handles the interface between the DLL and the outside world. This is a
2199 binary file and it can be created by giving the @samp{-e} option to
2200 @code{dlltool} when it is creating or reading in a .def file.
2201
2202 The third file needed for DLL creation is the library file that programs
2203 will link with in order to access the functions in the DLL. This file
2204 can be created by giving the @samp{-l} option to dlltool when it
2205 is creating or reading in a .def file.
2206
2207 @code{dlltool} builds the library file by hand, but it builds the
2208 exports file by creating temporary files containing assembler statements
2209 and then assembling these. The @samp{-S} command line option can be
2210 used to specify the path to the assembler that dlltool will use,
2211 and the @samp{-f} option can be used to pass specific flags to that
2212 assembler. The @samp{-n} can be used to prevent dlltool from deleting
2213 these temporary assembler files when it is done, and if @samp{-n} is
2214 specified twice then this will prevent dlltool from deleting the
2215 temporary object files it used to build the library.
2216
2217 Here is an example of creating a DLL from a source file @samp{dll.c} and
2218 also creating a program (from an object file called @samp{program.o})
2219 that uses that DLL:
2220
2221 @smallexample
2222 gcc -c dll.c
2223 dlltool -e exports.o -l dll.lib dll.o
2224 gcc dll.o exports.o -o dll.dll
2225 gcc program.o dll.lib -o program
2226 @end smallexample
2227
2228 The command line options have the following meanings:
2229
2230 @table @code
2231
2232 @item -d @var{filename}
2233 @itemx --input-def @var{filename}
2234 @cindex input .def file
2235 Specifies the name of a .def file to be read in and processed.
2236
2237 @item -b @var{filename}
2238 @itemx --base-file @var{filename}
2239 @cindex base files
2240 Specifies the name of a base file to be read in and processed. The
2241 contents of this file will be added to the relocation section in the
2242 exports file generated by dlltool.
2243
2244 @item -e @var{filename}
2245 @itemx --output-exp @var{filename}
2246 Specifies the name of the export file to be created by dlltool.
2247
2248 @item -z @var{filename}
2249 @itemx --output-def @var{filename}
2250 Specifies the name of the .def file to be created by dlltool.
2251
2252 @item -l @var{filename}
2253 @itemx --output-lib @var{filename}
2254 Specifies the name of the library file to be created by dlltool.
2255
2256 @item --export-all-symbols
2257 Treat all global and weak defined symbols found in the input object
2258 files as symbols to be exported. There is a small list of symbols which
2259 are not exported by default; see the @code{--no-default-excludes}
2260 option. You may add to the list of symbols to not export by using the
2261 @code{--exclude-symbols} option.
2262
2263 @item --no-export-all-symbols
2264 Only export symbols explicitly listed in an input .def file or in
2265 @samp{.drectve} sections in the input object files. This is the default
2266 behaviour. The @samp{.drectve} sections are created by @samp{dllexport}
2267 attributes in the source code.
2268
2269 @item --exclude-symbols @var{list}
2270 Do not export the symbols in @var{list}. This is a list of symbol names
2271 separated by comma or colon characters. The symbol names should not
2272 contain a leading underscore. This is only meaningful when
2273 @code{--export-all-symbols} is used.
2274
2275 @item --no-default-excludes
2276 When @code{--export-all-symbols} is used, it will by default avoid
2277 exporting certain special symbols. The current list of symbols to avoid
2278 exporting is @samp{DllMain@@12}, @samp{DllEntryPoint@@0},
2279 @samp{impure_ptr}. You may use the @code{--no-default-excludes} option
2280 to go ahead and export these special symbols. This is only meaningful
2281 when @code{--export-all-symbols} is used.
2282
2283 @item -S @var{path}
2284 @itemx --as @var{path}
2285 Specifies the path, including the filename, of the assembler to be used
2286 to create the exports file.
2287
2288 @item -f @var{switches}
2289 @itemx --as-flags @var{switches}
2290 Specifies any specific command line switches to be passed to the
2291 assembler when building the exports file. This option will work even if
2292 the @samp{-S} option is not used. This option only takes one argument,
2293 and if it occurs more than once on the command line, then later
2294 occurrences will override earlier occurrences. So if it is necessary to
2295 pass multiple switches to the assembler they should be enclosed in
2296 double quotes.
2297
2298 @item -D @var{name}
2299 @itemx --dll-name @var{name}
2300 Specifies the name to be stored in the .def file as the name of the DLL
2301 when the @samp{-e} option is used. If this option is not present, then
2302 the filename given to the @samp{-e} option will be used as the name of
2303 the DLL.
2304
2305 @item -m @var{machine}
2306 @itemx -machine @var{machine}
2307 Specifies the type of machine for which the library file should be
2308 built. @code{dlltool} has a built in default type, depending upon how
2309 it was created, but this option can be used to override that. This is
2310 normally only useful when creating DLLs for an ARM processor, when the
2311 contents of the DLL are actually encode using THUMB instructions.
2312
2313 @item -a
2314 @itemx --add-indirect
2315 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2316 should add a section which allows the exported functions to be
2317 referenced without using the import library. Whatever the hell that
2318 means!
2319
2320 @item -U
2321 @itemx --add-underscore
2322 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2323 should prepend an underscore to the names of the exported functions.
2324
2325 @item -k
2326 @itemx --kill-at
2327 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2328 should not append the string @samp{@@ <number>}. These numbers are
2329 called ordinal numbers and they represent another way of accessing the
2330 function in a DLL, other than by name.
2331
2332 @item -A
2333 @itemx --add-stdcall-alias
2334 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2335 should add aliases for stdcall symbols without @samp{@@ <number>}
2336 in addition to the symbols with @samp{@@ <number>}.
2337
2338 @item -x
2339 @itemx --no-idata4
2340 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports and library
2341 files it should omit the .idata4 section. This is for compatibility
2342 with certain operating systems.
2343
2344 @item -c
2345 @itemx --no-idata5
2346 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports and library
2347 files it should omit the .idata5 section. This is for compatibility
2348 with certain operating systems.
2349
2350 @item -i
2351 @itemx --interwork
2352 Specifies that @code{dlltool} should mark the objects in the library
2353 file and exports file that it produces as supporting interworking
2354 between ARM and THUMB code.
2355
2356 @item -n
2357 @itemx --nodelete
2358 Makes @code{dlltool} preserve the temporary assembler files it used to
2359 create the exports file. If this option is repeated then dlltool will
2360 also preserve the temporary object files it uses to create the library
2361 file.
2362
2363 @item -v
2364 @itemx --verbose
2365 Make dlltool describe what it is doing.
2366
2367 @item -h
2368 @itemx --help
2369 Displays a list of command line options and then exits.
2370
2371 @item -V
2372 @itemx --version
2373 Displays dlltool's version number and then exits.
2374
2375 @end table
2376
2377 @node readelf
2378 @chapter readelf
2379
2380 @cindex ELF file information
2381 @kindex readelf
2382
2383 @smallexample
2384 readelf [ -a | --all ]
2385 [ -h | --file-header]
2386 [ -l | --program-headers | --segments]
2387 [ -S | --section-headers | --sections]
2388 [ -e | --headers]
2389 [ -s | --syms | --symbols]
2390 [ -n | --notes]
2391 [ -r | --relocs]
2392 [ -d | --dynamic]
2393 [ -V | --version-info]
2394 [ -D | --use-dynamic]
2395 [ -x <number> | --hex-dump=<number>]
2396 [ -w[liapr] | --debug-dump[=info,=line,=abbrev,=pubnames,=ranges]]
2397 [ --histogram]
2398 [ -v | --version]
2399 [ -H | --help]
2400 @var{elffile}@dots{}
2401 @end smallexample
2402
2403 @code{readelf} displays information about one or more ELF format object
2404 files. The options control what particular information to display.
2405
2406 @var{elffile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined. At the
2407 moment, @code{readelf} does not support examining archives, nor does it
2408 support examing 64 bit ELF files.
2409
2410 The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
2411 equivalent. At least one option besides @samp{-v} or @samp{-H} must be
2412 given.
2413
2414 @table @code
2415 @item -a
2416 @itemx --all
2417 Equivalent to specifiying @samp{--file-header},
2418 @samp{--program-headers}, @samp{--sections}, @samp{--symbols},
2419 @samp{--relocs}, @samp{--dynamic}, @samp{--notes} and
2420 @samp{--version-info}.
2421
2422 @item -h
2423 @itemx --file-header
2424 @cindex ELF file header information
2425 Displays the information contained in the ELF header at the start of the
2426 file.
2427
2428 @item -l
2429 @itemx --program-headers
2430 @itemx --segments
2431 @cindex ELF program header information
2432 @cindex ELF segment information
2433 Displays the information contained in the file's segment headers, if it
2434 has any.
2435
2436 @item -S
2437 @itemx --sections
2438 @itemx --section-headers
2439 @cindex ELF section information
2440 Displays the information contained in the file's section headers, if it
2441 has any.
2442
2443 @item -s
2444 @itemx --symbols
2445 @itemx --syms
2446 @cindex ELF symbol table information
2447 Displays the entries in symbol table section of the file, if it has one.
2448
2449 @item -e
2450 @itemx --headers
2451 Display all the headers in the file. Equivalent to @samp{-h -l -S}.
2452
2453 @item -n
2454 @itemx --notes
2455 @cindex ELF core notes
2456 Displays the contents of the NOTE segment, if it exists.
2457
2458 @item -r
2459 @itemx --relocs
2460 @cindex ELF reloc information
2461 Displays the contents of the file's relocation section, if it ha one.
2462
2463 @item -d
2464 @itemx --dynamic
2465 @cindex ELF dynamic section information
2466 Displays the contents of the file's dynamic section, if it has one.
2467
2468 @item -V
2469 @itemx --version-info
2470 @cindex ELF version sections informations
2471 Displays the contents of the version sections in the file, it they
2472 exist.
2473
2474 @item -D
2475 @itemx --use-dynamic
2476 When displaying symbols, this option makes @code{readelf} use the
2477 symblol table in the file's dynamic section, rather than the one in the
2478 symbols section.
2479
2480 @item -x <number>
2481 @itemx --hex-dump=<number>
2482 Displays the contents of the indicated section as a hexadecimal dump.
2483
2484 @item -w[liapr]
2485 @itemx --debug-dump[=line,=info,=abbrev,=pubnames,=ranges]
2486 Displays the contents of the debug sections in the file, if any are
2487 present. If one of the optional letters or words follows the switch
2488 then only data found in those specific sections will be dumped.
2489
2490 @item --histogram
2491 Display a histogram of bucket list lengths when displaying the contents
2492 of the symbol tables.
2493
2494 @item -v
2495 @itemx --version
2496 Display the version number of readelf.
2497
2498 @item -H
2499 @itemx --help
2500 Display the command line options understood by @code{readelf}.
2501
2502 @end table
2503
2504
2505 @node Selecting The Target System
2506 @chapter Selecting the target system
2507
2508 You can specify three aspects of the target system to the @sc{gnu}
2509 binary file utilities, each in several ways:
2510
2511 @itemize @bullet
2512 @item
2513 the target
2514
2515 @item
2516 the architecture
2517
2518 @item
2519 the linker emulation (which applies to the linker only)
2520 @end itemize
2521
2522 In the following summaries, the lists of ways to specify values are in
2523 order of decreasing precedence. The ways listed first override those
2524 listed later.
2525
2526 The commands to list valid values only list the values for which the
2527 programs you are running were configured. If they were configured with
2528 @samp{--enable-targets=all}, the commands list most of the available
2529 values, but a few are left out; not all targets can be configured in at
2530 once because some of them can only be configured @dfn{native} (on hosts
2531 with the same type as the target system).
2532
2533 @menu
2534 * Target Selection::
2535 * Architecture Selection::
2536 * Linker Emulation Selection::
2537 @end menu
2538
2539 @node Target Selection
2540 @section Target Selection
2541
2542 A @dfn{target} is an object file format. A given target may be
2543 supported for multiple architectures (@pxref{Architecture Selection}).
2544 A target selection may also have variations for different operating
2545 systems or architectures.
2546
2547 The command to list valid target values is @samp{objdump -i}
2548 (the first column of output contains the relevant information).
2549
2550 Some sample values are: @samp{a.out-hp300bsd}, @samp{ecoff-littlemips},
2551 @samp{a.out-sunos-big}.
2552
2553 You can also specify a target using a configuration triplet. This is
2554 the same sort of name that is passed to configure to specify a target.
2555 When you use a configuration triplet as an argument, it must be fully
2556 canonicalized. You can see the canonical version of a triplet by
2557 running the shell script @file{config.sub} which is included with the
2558 sources.
2559
2560 Some sample configuration triplets are: @samp{m68k-hp-bsd},
2561 @samp{mips-dec-ultrix}, @samp{sparc-sun-sunos}.
2562
2563 @subheading @code{objdump} Target
2564
2565 Ways to specify:
2566
2567 @enumerate
2568 @item
2569 command line option: @samp{-b} or @samp{--target}
2570
2571 @item
2572 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2573
2574 @item
2575 deduced from the input file
2576 @end enumerate
2577
2578 @subheading @code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Input Target
2579
2580 Ways to specify:
2581
2582 @enumerate
2583 @item
2584 command line options: @samp{-I} or @samp{--input-target}, or @samp{-F} or @samp{--target}
2585
2586 @item
2587 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2588
2589 @item
2590 deduced from the input file
2591 @end enumerate
2592
2593 @subheading @code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Output Target
2594
2595 Ways to specify:
2596
2597 @enumerate
2598 @item
2599 command line options: @samp{-O} or @samp{--output-target}, or @samp{-F} or @samp{--target}
2600
2601 @item
2602 the input target (see ``@code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Input Target'' above)
2603
2604 @item
2605 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2606
2607 @item
2608 deduced from the input file
2609 @end enumerate
2610
2611 @subheading @code{nm}, @code{size}, and @code{strings} Target
2612
2613 Ways to specify:
2614
2615 @enumerate
2616 @item
2617 command line option: @samp{--target}
2618
2619 @item
2620 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2621
2622 @item
2623 deduced from the input file
2624 @end enumerate
2625
2626 @subheading Linker Input Target
2627
2628 Ways to specify:
2629
2630 @enumerate
2631 @item
2632 command line option: @samp{-b} or @samp{--format}
2633 (@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2634
2635 @item
2636 script command @code{TARGET}
2637 (@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2638
2639 @item
2640 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2641 (@pxref{Environment,,Environment,ld.info,Using LD})
2642
2643 @item
2644 the default target of the selected linker emulation
2645 (@pxref{Linker Emulation Selection})
2646 @end enumerate
2647
2648 @subheading Linker Output Target
2649
2650 Ways to specify:
2651
2652 @enumerate
2653 @item
2654 command line option: @samp{-oformat}
2655 (@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2656
2657 @item
2658 script command @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT}
2659 (@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2660
2661 @item
2662 the linker input target (see ``Linker Input Target'' above)
2663 @end enumerate
2664
2665 @node Architecture Selection
2666 @section Architecture selection
2667
2668 An @dfn{architecture} is a type of @sc{cpu} on which an object file is
2669 to run. Its name may contain a colon, separating the name of the
2670 processor family from the name of the particular @sc{cpu}.
2671
2672 The command to list valid architecture values is @samp{objdump -i} (the
2673 second column contains the relevant information).
2674
2675 Sample values: @samp{m68k:68020}, @samp{mips:3000}, @samp{sparc}.
2676
2677 @subheading @code{objdump} Architecture
2678
2679 Ways to specify:
2680
2681 @enumerate
2682 @item
2683 command line option: @samp{-m} or @samp{--architecture}
2684
2685 @item
2686 deduced from the input file
2687 @end enumerate
2688
2689 @subheading @code{objcopy}, @code{nm}, @code{size}, @code{strings} Architecture
2690
2691 Ways to specify:
2692
2693 @enumerate
2694 @item
2695 deduced from the input file
2696 @end enumerate
2697
2698 @subheading Linker Input Architecture
2699
2700 Ways to specify:
2701
2702 @enumerate
2703 @item
2704 deduced from the input file
2705 @end enumerate
2706
2707 @subheading Linker Output Architecture
2708
2709 Ways to specify:
2710
2711 @enumerate
2712 @item
2713 script command @code{OUTPUT_ARCH}
2714 (@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2715
2716 @item
2717 the default architecture from the linker output target
2718 (@pxref{Target Selection})
2719 @end enumerate
2720
2721 @node Linker Emulation Selection
2722 @section Linker emulation selection
2723
2724 A linker @dfn{emulation} is a ``personality'' of the linker, which gives
2725 the linker default values for the other aspects of the target system.
2726 In particular, it consists of
2727
2728 @itemize @bullet
2729 @item
2730 the linker script
2731
2732 @item
2733 the target
2734
2735 @item
2736 several ``hook'' functions that are run at certain stages of the linking
2737 process to do special things that some targets require
2738 @end itemize
2739
2740 The command to list valid linker emulation values is @samp{ld -V}.
2741
2742 Sample values: @samp{hp300bsd}, @samp{mipslit}, @samp{sun4}.
2743
2744 Ways to specify:
2745
2746 @enumerate
2747 @item
2748 command line option: @samp{-m}
2749 (@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2750
2751 @item
2752 environment variable @code{LDEMULATION}
2753
2754 @item
2755 compiled-in @code{DEFAULT_EMULATION} from @file{Makefile},
2756 which comes from @code{EMUL} in @file{config/@var{target}.mt}
2757 @end enumerate
2758
2759 @node Reporting Bugs
2760 @chapter Reporting Bugs
2761 @cindex bugs
2762 @cindex reporting bugs
2763
2764 Your bug reports play an essential role in making the binary utilities
2765 reliable.
2766
2767 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or
2768 it may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is
2769 to help the entire community by making the next version of the binary
2770 utilities work better. Bug reports are your contribution to their
2771 maintenance.
2772
2773 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
2774 information that enables us to fix the bug.
2775
2776 @menu
2777 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
2778 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
2779 @end menu
2780
2781 @node Bug Criteria
2782 @section Have you found a bug?
2783 @cindex bug criteria
2784
2785 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
2786
2787 @itemize @bullet
2788 @cindex fatal signal
2789 @cindex crash
2790 @item
2791 If a binary utility gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is
2792 a bug. Reliable utilities never crash.
2793
2794 @cindex error on valid input
2795 @item
2796 If a binary utility produces an error message for valid input, that is a
2797 bug.
2798
2799 @item
2800 If you are an experienced user of binary utilities, your suggestions for
2801 improvement are welcome in any case.
2802 @end itemize
2803
2804 @node Bug Reporting
2805 @section How to report bugs
2806 @cindex bug reports
2807 @cindex bugs, reporting
2808
2809 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu}
2810 products. If you obtained the binary utilities from a support
2811 organization, we recommend you contact that organization first.
2812
2813 You can find contact information for many support companies and
2814 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
2815 distribution.
2816
2817 In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for the binary
2818 utilities to @samp{bug-gnu-utils@@gnu.org}.
2819
2820 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
2821 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
2822 fact or leave it out, state it!
2823
2824 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
2825 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
2826 assume that the name of a file you use in an example does not matter.
2827 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is
2828 a stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where
2829 that pathname is stored in memory; perhaps, if the pathname were
2830 different, the contents of that location would fool the utility into
2831 doing the right thing despite the bug. Play it safe and give a
2832 specific, complete example. That is the easiest thing for you to do,
2833 and the most helpful.
2834
2835 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the bug if
2836 it is new to us. Therefore, always write your bug reports on the assumption
2837 that the bug has not been reported previously.
2838
2839 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
2840 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
2841 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
2842 bugs properly.
2843
2844 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
2845
2846 @itemize @bullet
2847 @item
2848 The version of the utility. Each utility announces it if you start it
2849 with the @samp{--version} argument.
2850
2851 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
2852 the bug in the current version of the binary utilities.
2853
2854 @item
2855 Any patches you may have applied to the source, including any patches
2856 made to the @code{BFD} library.
2857
2858 @item
2859 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
2860 version number.
2861
2862 @item
2863 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the utilities---e.g.
2864 ``@code{gcc-2.7}''.
2865
2866 @item
2867 The command arguments you gave the utility to observe the bug. To
2868 guarantee you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy
2869 of the Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
2870
2871 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
2872 and then we might not encounter the bug.
2873
2874 @item
2875 A complete input file, or set of input files, that will reproduce the
2876 bug. If the utility is reading an object file or files, then it is
2877 generally most helpful to send the actual object files, uuencoded if
2878 necessary to get them through the mail system. Note that
2879 @samp{bug-gnu-utils@@gnu.org} is a mailing list, so you should avoid
2880 sending very large files to it. Making the files available for
2881 anonymous FTP is OK.
2882
2883 If the source files were produced exclusively using @sc{gnu} programs
2884 (e.g., @code{gcc}, @code{gas}, and/or the @sc{gnu} @code{ld}), then it
2885 may be OK to send the source files rather than the object files. In
2886 this case, be sure to say exactly what version of @code{gcc}, or
2887 whatever, was used to produce the object files. Also say how
2888 @code{gcc}, or whatever, was configured.
2889
2890 @item
2891 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
2892 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
2893
2894 Of course, if the bug is that the utility gets a fatal signal, then we
2895 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
2896 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
2897 a chance to make a mistake.
2898
2899 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
2900 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
2901 copy of the utility is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
2902 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
2903 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
2904 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
2905 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
2906 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
2907
2908 @item
2909 If you wish to suggest changes to the source, send us context diffs, as
2910 generated by @code{diff} with the @samp{-u}, @samp{-c}, or @samp{-p}
2911 option. Always send diffs from the old file to the new file. If you
2912 even discuss something in the @code{ld} source, refer to it by context,
2913 not by line number.
2914
2915 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
2916 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
2917 @end itemize
2918
2919 Here are some things that are not necessary:
2920
2921 @itemize @bullet
2922 @item
2923 A description of the envelope of the bug.
2924
2925 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
2926 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
2927 changes will not affect it.
2928
2929 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
2930 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
2931 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
2932 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
2933
2934 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
2935 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
2936 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
2937 less time, and so on.
2938
2939 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
2940 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
2941
2942 @item
2943 A patch for the bug.
2944
2945 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
2946 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
2947 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
2948 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
2949
2950 Sometimes with programs as complicated as the binary utilities it is
2951 very hard to construct an example that will make the program follow a
2952 certain path through the code. If you do not send us the example, we
2953 will not be able to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that
2954 the bug is fixed.
2955
2956 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
2957 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
2958 help us to understand.
2959
2960 @item
2961 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
2962
2963 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
2964 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
2965 @end itemize
2966
2967 @node Index
2968 @unnumbered Index
2969
2970 @printindex cp
2971
2972 @contents
2973 @bye
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