Fix description of -n command line switch
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / binutils / binutils.texi
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1\input texinfo @c -*- Texinfo -*-
2@setfilename binutils.info
3@include config.texi
4
5@ifinfo
6@format
7START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
ad0481cd
AS
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
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24END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
25@end format
26@end ifinfo
27
28@ifinfo
8f915f68 29Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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30
31Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
32this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
33are preserved on all copies.
34
35@ignore
36Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
37results, provided the printed document carries a copying permission
38notice 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
43Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
44manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
45the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
46permission notice identical to this one.
47
48Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
49into 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
8f915f68 57@c Copyright (C) 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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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
82Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 1998 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
83
84Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
85this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
86are preserved on all copies.
87
88Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
89manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
90the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
91permission notice identical to this one.
92
93Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
94into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
95@end titlepage
96
97@node Top
98@top Introduction
99
100@cindex version
101This brief manual contains preliminary documentation for the @sc{gnu} binary
102utilities (collectively version @value{VERSION}):
103
104@iftex
105@table @code
106@item ar
107Create, modify, and extract from archives
108
109@item nm
110List symbols from object files
111
112@item objcopy
113Copy and translate object files
114
115@item objdump
116Display information from object files
117
118@item ranlib
119Generate index to archive contents
120
121@item readelf
122Display the contents of ELF format files.
123
124@item size
125List file section sizes and total size
126
127@item strings
128List printable strings from files
129
130@item strip
131Discard symbols
132
133@item c++filt
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134Demangle encoded C++ symbols (on MS-DOS, this program is named
135@code{cxxfilt})
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136
137@item addr2line
138Convert addresses into file names and line numbers
139
140@item nlmconv
141Convert object code into a Netware Loadable Module
142
143@item windres
144Manipulate Windows resources
145
146@item dlltool
147Create 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
9d51cc66 162* cxxfilt: c++filt. MS-DOS name for c++filt
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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
3de39064 179ar [-]@var{p}[@var{mod} [@var{relpos}] [@var{count}]] @var{archive} [@var{member}@dots{}]
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180ar -M [ <mri-script ]
181@end smallexample
182
183The @sc{gnu} @code{ar} program creates, modifies, and extracts from
184archives. An @dfn{archive} is a single file holding a collection of
185other files in a structure that makes it possible to retrieve
186the original individual files (called @dfn{members} of the archive).
187
188The original files' contents, mode (permissions), timestamp, owner, and
189group are preserved in the archive, and can be restored on
190extraction.
191
192@cindex name length
193@sc{gnu} @code{ar} can maintain archives whose members have names of any
194length; however, depending on how @code{ar} is configured on your
195system, a limit on member-name length may be imposed for compatibility
196with archive formats maintained with other tools. If it exists, the
197limit is often 15 characters (typical of formats related to a.out) or 16
198characters (typical of formats related to coff).
199
200@cindex libraries
201@code{ar} is considered a binary utility because archives of this sort
202are most often used as @dfn{libraries} holding commonly needed
203subroutines.
204
205@cindex symbol index
206@code{ar} creates an index to the symbols defined in relocatable
207object modules in the archive when you specify the modifier @samp{s}.
208Once created, this index is updated in the archive whenever @code{ar}
209makes a change to its contents (save for the @samp{q} update operation).
210An archive with such an index speeds up linking to the library, and
211allows routines in the library to call each other without regard to
212their placement in the archive.
213
214You may use @samp{nm -s} or @samp{nm --print-armap} to list this index
215table. 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
221facilities. You can control its activity using command-line options,
222like the different varieties of @code{ar} on Unix systems; or, if you
223specify the single command-line option @samp{-M}, you can control it
224with a script supplied via standard input, like the MRI ``librarian''
225program.
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
3de39064 237ar [-]@var{p}[@var{mod} [@var{relpos}] [@var{count}]] @var{archive} [@var{member}@dots{}]
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238@end smallexample
239
240@cindex Unix compatibility, @code{ar}
241When you use @code{ar} in the Unix style, @code{ar} insists on at least two
242arguments 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
246Most operations can also accept further @var{member} arguments,
247specifying particular files to operate on.
248
249@sc{gnu} @code{ar} allows you to mix the operation code @var{p} and modifier
250flags @var{mod} in any order, within the first command-line argument.
251
252If you wish, you may begin the first command-line argument with a
253dash.
254
255@cindex operations on archive
256The @var{p} keyletter specifies what operation to execute; it may be
257any 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
263be deleted as @var{member}@dots{}; the archive is untouched if you
264specify no files to delete.
265
266If you specify the @samp{v} modifier, @code{ar} lists each module
267as it is deleted.
268
269@item m
270@cindex moving in archive
271Use this operation to @emph{move} members in an archive.
272
273The ordering of members in an archive can make a difference in how
274programs are linked using the library, if a symbol is defined in more
275than one member.
276
277If 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;
279you can use the @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} modifiers to move them to a
280specified place instead.
281
282@item p
283@cindex printing from archive
284@emph{Print} the specified members of the archive, to the standard
285output file. If the @samp{v} modifier is specified, show the member
286name before copying its contents to standard output.
287
288If you specify no @var{member} arguments, all the files in the archive are
289printed.
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
296The modifiers @samp{a}, @samp{b}, and @samp{i} do @emph{not} affect this
297operation; new members are always placed at the end of the archive.
298
299The modifier @samp{v} makes @code{ar} list each file as it is appended.
300
301Since the point of this operation is speed, the archive's symbol table
302index 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
305However, too many different systems assume quick append rebuilds the
306index, so GNU ar implements @code{q} as a synonym for @code{r}.
307
308@item r
309@cindex replacement in archive
310Insert the files @var{member}@dots{} into @var{archive} (with
311@emph{replacement}). This operation differs from @samp{q} in that any
312previously existing members are deleted if their names match those being
313added.
314
315If one of the files named in @var{member}@dots{} does not exist, @code{ar}
316displays an error message, and leaves undisturbed any existing members
317of the archive matching that name.
318
319By default, new members are added at the end of the file; but you may
320use one of the modifiers @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} to request
321placement relative to some existing member.
322
323The modifier @samp{v} used with this operation elicits a line of
324output 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
326deleted) or replaced.
327
328@item t
329@cindex contents of archive
330Display a @emph{table} listing the contents of @var{archive}, or those
331of the files listed in @var{member}@dots{} that are present in the
332archive. Normally only the member name is shown; if you also want to
333see the modes (permissions), timestamp, owner, group, and size, you can
334request that by also specifying the @samp{v} modifier.
335
336If you do not specify a @var{member}, all files in the archive
337are listed.
338
339@cindex repeated names in archive
340@cindex name duplication in archive
341If there is more than one file with the same name (say, @samp{fie}) in
342an archive (say @samp{b.a}), @samp{ar t b.a fie} lists only the
343first instance; to see them all, you must ask for a complete
344listing---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
351use the @samp{v} modifier with this operation, to request that
352@code{ar} list each name as it extracts it.
353
354If you do not specify a @var{member}, all files in the archive
355are extracted.
356
357@end table
358
359A number of modifiers (@var{mod}) may immediately follow the @var{p}
360keyletter, to specify variations on an operation's behavior:
361
362@table @code
363@item a
364@cindex relative placement in archive
365Add new files @emph{after} an existing member of the
366archive. If you use the modifier @samp{a}, the name of an existing archive
367member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
368@var{archive} specification.
369
370@item b
371Add new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
372archive. If you use the modifier @samp{b}, the name of an existing archive
373member 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
379created if it did not exist, when you request an update. But a warning is
380issued unless you specify in advance that you expect to create it, by
381using this modifier.
382
383@item f
384Truncate names in the archive. @sc{gnu} @code{ar} will normally permit file
385names of any length. This will cause it to create archives which are
386not compatible with the native @code{ar} program on some systems. If
387this is a concern, the @samp{f} modifier may be used to truncate file
388names when putting them in the archive.
389
390@item i
391Insert new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
392archive. If you use the modifier @samp{i}, the name of an existing archive
393member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
394@var{archive} specification. (same as @samp{b}).
395
396@item l
397This modifier is accepted but not used.
398@c whaffor ar l modifier??? presumably compat; with
399@c what???---doc@@cygnus.com, 25jan91
400
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401@item N
402Uses the @var{count} parameter. This is used if there are multiple
403entries in the archive with the same name. Extract or delete instance
404@var{count} of the given name from the archive.
405
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406@item o
407@cindex dates in archive
408Preserve the @emph{original} dates of members when extracting them. If
409you do not specify this modifier, files extracted from the archive
410are stamped with the time of extraction.
411
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412@item P
413Use 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
415are not POSIX complaint), but other archive creators can. This option
416will cause @sc{gnu} @code{ar} to match file names using a complete path
417name, which can be convenient when extracting a single file from an
418archive created by another tool.
419
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420@item s
421@cindex writing archive index
422Write an object-file index into the archive, or update an existing one,
423even if no other change is made to the archive. You may use this modifier
424flag either with any operation, or alone. Running @samp{ar s} on an
425archive is equivalent to running @samp{ranlib} on it.
426
427@item S
428@cindex not writing archive index
429Do not generate an archive symbol table. This can speed up building a
430large library in several steps. The resulting archive can not be used
431with 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
437Normally, @samp{ar r}@dots{} inserts all files
438listed into the archive. If you would like to insert @emph{only} those
439of the files you list that are newer than existing members of the same
440names, use this modifier. The @samp{u} modifier is allowed only for the
441operation @samp{r} (replace). In particular, the combination @samp{qu} is
442not allowed, since checking the timestamps would lose any speed
443advantage from the operation @samp{q}.
444
445@item v
446This modifier requests the @emph{verbose} version of an operation. Many
447operations display additional information, such as filenames processed,
448when the modifier @samp{v} is appended.
449
450@item V
451This 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
458ar -M [ <@var{script} ]
459@end smallexample
460
461@cindex MRI compatibility, @code{ar}
462@cindex scripts, @code{ar}
463If you use the single command-line option @samp{-M} with @code{ar}, you
464can control its operation with a rudimentary command language. This
465form of @code{ar} operates interactively if standard input is coming
466directly from a terminal. During interactive use, @code{ar} prompts for
467input (the prompt is @samp{AR >}), and continues executing even after
468errors. If you redirect standard input to a script file, no prompts are
469issued, and @code{ar} abandons execution (with a nonzero exit code)
470on any error.
471
472The @code{ar} command language is @emph{not} designed to be equivalent
473to the command-line options; in fact, it provides somewhat less control
474over archives. The only purpose of the command language is to ease the
475transition to @sc{gnu} @code{ar} for developers who already have scripts
476written for the MRI ``librarian'' program.
477
478The syntax for the @code{ar} command language is straightforward:
479@itemize @bullet
480@item
481commands are recognized in upper or lower case; for example, @code{LIST}
482is the same as @code{list}. In the following descriptions, commands are
483shown in upper case for clarity.
484
485@item
486a single command may appear on each line; it is the first word on the
487line.
488
489@item
490empty lines are allowed, and have no effect.
491
492@item
493comments are allowed; text after either of the characters @samp{*}
494or @samp{;} is ignored.
495
496@item
497Whenever you use a list of names as part of the argument to an @code{ar}
498command, you can separate the individual names with either commas or
499blanks. Commas are shown in the explanations below, for clarity.
500
501@item
502@samp{+} is used as a line continuation character; if @samp{+} appears
503at the end of a line, the text on the following line is considered part
504of the current command.
505@end itemize
506
507Here 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
511a temporary file required for most of the other commands.
512
513@code{SAVE} commits the changes so far specified by the script. Prior
514to @code{SAVE}, commands affect only the temporary copy of the current
515archive.
516
517@table @code
518@item ADDLIB @var{archive}
519@itemx ADDLIB @var{archive} (@var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module})
520Add all the contents of @var{archive} (or, if specified, each named
521@var{module} from @var{archive}) to the current archive.
522
523Requires 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..."
528Add each named @var{member} as a module in the current archive.
529
530Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
531
532@item CLEAR
533Discard the contents of the current archive, canceling the effect of
534any operations since the last @code{SAVE}. May be executed (with no
535effect) even if no current archive is specified.
536
537@item CREATE @var{archive}
538Creates an archive, and makes it the current archive (required for many
539other commands). The new archive is created with a temporary name; it
540is not actually saved as @var{archive} until you use @code{SAVE}.
541You can overwrite existing archives; similarly, the contents of any
542existing file named @var{archive} will not be destroyed until @code{SAVE}.
543
544@item DELETE @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
545Delete each listed @var{module} from the current archive; equivalent to
546@samp{ar -d @var{archive} @var{module} @dots{} @var{module}}.
547
548Requires 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}
552List each named @var{module} present in @var{archive}. The separate
553command @code{VERBOSE} specifies the form of the output: when verbose
554output 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
558Output normally goes to the standard output stream; however, if you
559specify @var{outputfile} as a final argument, @code{ar} directs the
560output to that file.
561
562@item END
563Exit from @code{ar}, with a @code{0} exit code to indicate successful
564completion. This command does not save the output file; if you have
565changed the current archive since the last @code{SAVE} command, those
566changes are lost.
567
568@item EXTRACT @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
569Extract each named @var{module} from the current archive, writing them
570into the current directory as separate files. Equivalent to @samp{ar -x
571@var{archive} @var{module}@dots{}}.
572
573Requires 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
583Display full contents of the current archive, in ``verbose'' style
584regardless of the state of @code{VERBOSE}. The effect is like @samp{ar
c89746f6 585tv @var{archive}}. (This single command is a @sc{gnu} @code{ar}
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586enhancement, rather than present for MRI compatibility.)
587
588Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
589
590@item OPEN @var{archive}
591Opens an existing archive for use as the current archive (required for
592many other commands). Any changes as the result of subsequent commands
593will not actually affect @var{archive} until you next use @code{SAVE}.
594
595@item REPLACE @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
596In the current archive, replace each existing @var{module} (named in
597the @code{REPLACE} arguments) from files in the current working directory.
598To execute this command without errors, both the file, and the module in
599the current archive, must exist.
600
601Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
602
603@item VERBOSE
604Toggle an internal flag governing the output from @code{DIRECTORY}.
605When the flag is on, @code{DIRECTORY} output matches output from
606@samp{ar -tv }@dots{}.
607
608@item SAVE
609Commit your changes to the current archive, and actually save it as a
610file with the name specified in the last @code{CREATE} or @code{OPEN}
611command.
612
613Requires 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
622The @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
632nm [ -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{}.
f20a759a 644If no object files are listed as arguments, @code{nm} assumes the file
252b5132
RH
645@file{a.out}.
646
647For each symbol, @code{nm} shows:
648
649@itemize @bullet
650@item
651The symbol value, in the radix selected by options (see below), or
652hexadecimal by default.
653
654@item
655The symbol type. At least the following types are used; others are, as
656well, depending on the object file format. If lowercase, the symbol is
657local; 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
663The symbol's value is absolute, and will not be changed by further
664linking.
665
666@item B
667The symbol is in the uninitialized data section (known as BSS).
668
669@item C
670The symbol is common. Common symbols are uninitialized data. When
671linking, multiple common symbols may appear with the same name. If the
672symbol is defined anywhere, the common symbols are treated as undefined
673references. 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
677The symbol is in the initialized data section.
678
679@item G
680The symbol is in an initialized data section for small objects. Some
681object file formats permit more efficient access to small data objects,
682such as a global int variable as opposed to a large global array.
683
684@item I
685The symbol is an indirect reference to another symbol. This is a GNU
686extension to the a.out object file format which is rarely used.
687
688@item N
689The symbol is a debugging symbol.
690
691@item R
692The symbol is in a read only data section.
693
694@item S
695The symbol is in an uninitialized data section for small objects.
696
697@item T
698The symbol is in the text (code) section.
699
700@item U
701The symbol is undefined.
702
703@item W
704The symbol is weak. When a weak defined symbol is linked with a normal
705defined symbol, the normal defined symbol is used with no error. When a
706weak undefined symbol is linked and the symbol is not defined, the value
707of the weak symbol becomes zero with no error.
708
709@item -
710The symbol is a stabs symbol in an a.out object file. In this case, the
711next values printed are the stabs other field, the stabs desc field, and
712the stab type. Stabs symbols are used to hold debugging information;
713for more information, see @ref{Top,Stabs,Stabs Overview,stabs.info, The
714``stabs'' debug format}.
715
716@item ?
717The symbol type is unknown, or object file format specific.
718@end table
719
720@item
721The symbol name.
722@end itemize
723
724The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
725equivalent.
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
f20a759a 734Precede each symbol by the name of the input file (or archive member)
252b5132
RH
735in which it was found, rather than identifying the input file once only,
736before all of its symbols.
737
738@item -a
739@itemx --debug-syms
740@cindex debugging symbols
741Display all symbols, even debugger-only symbols; normally these are not
742listed.
743
744@item -B
745@cindex @code{nm} format
746@cindex @code{nm} compatibility
747The same as @samp{--format=bsd} (for compatibility with the MIPS @code{nm}).
748
749@item -C
750@itemx --demangle
751@cindex demangling in nm
752Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
753Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
754makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
755on demangling.
756
757@item --no-demangle
758Do not demangle low-level symbol names. This is the default.
759
760@item -D
761@itemx --dynamic
762@cindex dynamic symbols
763Display the dynamic symbols rather than the normal symbols. This is
764only meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
765libraries.
766
767@item -f @var{format}
768@itemx --format=@var{format}
769@cindex @code{nm} format
770@cindex @code{nm} compatibility
771Use the output format @var{format}, which can be @code{bsd},
772@code{sysv}, or @code{posix}. The default is @code{bsd}.
773Only the first character of @var{format} is significant; it can be
774either upper or lower case.
775
776@item -g
777@itemx --extern-only
778@cindex external symbols
779Display only external symbols.
780
781@item -l
782@itemx --line-numbers
783@cindex symbol line numbers
784For each symbol, use debugging information to try to find a filename and
785line number. For a defined symbol, look for the line number of the
786address of the symbol. For an undefined symbol, look for the line
787number of a relocation entry which refers to the symbol. If line number
788information can be found, print it after the other symbol information.
789
790@item -n
791@itemx -v
792@itemx --numeric-sort
793Sort symbols numerically by their addresses, rather than alphabetically
794by their names.
795
796@item -p
797@itemx --no-sort
798@cindex sorting symbols
799Do not bother to sort the symbols in any order; print them in the order
800encountered.
801
802@item -P
803@itemx --portability
804Use the POSIX.2 standard output format instead of the default format.
805Equivalent to @samp{-f posix}.
806
807@item -s
808@itemx --print-armap
809@cindex symbol index, listing
810When listing symbols from archive members, include the index: a mapping
811(stored in the archive by @code{ar} or @code{ranlib}) of which modules
812contain definitions for which names.
813
814@item -r
815@itemx --reverse-sort
816Reverse the order of the sort (whether numeric or alphabetic); let the
817last come first.
818
819@item --size-sort
820Sort symbols by size. The size is computed as the difference between
821the value of the symbol and the value of the symbol with the next higher
822value. The size of the symbol is printed, rather than the value.
823
824@item -t @var{radix}
825@itemx --radix=@var{radix}
826Use @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
831Specify 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
838Display only undefined symbols (those external to each object file).
839
840@item --defined-only
841@cindex external symbols
842@cindex undefined symbols
843Display only defined symbols for each object file.
844
845@item -V
846@itemx --version
847Show the version number of @code{nm} and exit.
848
849@item --help
850Show a summary of the options to @code{nm} and exit.
851@end table
852
853@node objcopy
854@chapter objcopy
855
856@smallexample
857objcopy [ -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} ]
f91ea849 868 [ -j @var{sectionname} | --only-section=@var{sectionname} ]
252b5132
RH
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
886The @sc{gnu} @code{objcopy} utility copies the contents of an object
887file to another. @code{objcopy} uses the @sc{gnu} @sc{bfd} Library to
888read and write the object files. It can write the destination object
889file in a format different from that of the source object file. The
890exact behavior of @code{objcopy} is controlled by command-line options.
891
892@code{objcopy} creates temporary files to do its translations and
893deletes them afterward. @code{objcopy} uses @sc{bfd} to do all its
894translation work; it has access to all the formats described in @sc{bfd}
895and thus is able to recognize most formats without being told
896explicitly. @xref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD}.
897
898@code{objcopy} can be used to generate S-records by using an output
899target 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
902output target of @samp{binary} (e.g., use @samp{-O binary}). When
903@code{objcopy} generates a raw binary file, it will essentially produce
904a memory dump of the contents of the input object file. All symbols and
905relocation information will be discarded. The memory dump will start at
906the load address of the lowest section copied into the output file.
907
908When generating an S-record or a raw binary file, it may be helpful to
909use @samp{-S} to remove sections containing debugging information. In
910some cases @samp{-R} will be useful to remove sections which contain
f20a759a 911information that is not needed by the binary file.
252b5132
RH
912
913@table @code
914@item @var{infile}
915@itemx @var{outfile}
f20a759a 916The input and output files, respectively.
252b5132
RH
917If you do not specify @var{outfile}, @code{objcopy} creates a
918temporary file and destructively renames the result with
919the name of @var{infile}.
920
921@item -I @var{bfdname}
922@itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
923Consider the source file's object format to be @var{bfdname}, rather than
924attempting to deduce it. @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
925
926@item -O @var{bfdname}
927@itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
928Write 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}
933Use @var{bfdname} as the object format for both the input and the output
934file; i.e., simply transfer data from source to destination with no
935translation. @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
936
f91ea849
ILT
937@item -j @var{sectionname}
938@itemx --only-section=@var{sectionname}
939Copy only the named section from the input file to the output file.
940This option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
941inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
942
252b5132
RH
943@item -R @var{sectionname}
944@itemx --remove-section=@var{sectionname}
945Remove any section named @var{sectionname} from the output file. This
946option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
947inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
948
949@item -S
950@itemx --strip-all
951Do not copy relocation and symbol information from the source file.
952
953@item -g
954@itemx --strip-debug
955Do not copy debugging symbols from the source file.
956
957@item --strip-unneeded
958Strip all symbols that are not needed for relocation processing.
959
960@item -K @var{symbolname}
961@itemx --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname}
962Copy only symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may
963be given more than once.
964
965@item -N @var{symbolname}
966@itemx --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname}
967Do not copy symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option
968may be given more than once.
969
970@item -L @var{symbolname}
971@itemx --localize-symbol=@var{symbolname}
972Make symbol @var{symbolname} local to the file, so that it is not
973visible externally. This option may be given more than once.
974
975@item -W @var{symbolname}
976@itemx --weaken-symbol=@var{symbolname}
977Make symbol @var{symbolname} weak. This option may be given more than once.
978
979@item -x
980@itemx --discard-all
981Do 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
986Do 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}
991Keep only every @var{byte}th byte of the input file (header data is not
992affected). @var{byte} can be in the range from 0 to @var{interleave}-1,
993where @var{interleave} is given by the @samp{-i} or @samp{--interleave}
994option, or the default of 4. This option is useful for creating files
995to program @sc{rom}. It is typically used with an @code{srec} output
996target.
997
998@item -i @var{interleave}
999@itemx --interleave=@var{interleave}
1000Only copy one out of every @var{interleave} bytes. Select which byte to
1001copy 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
1007Set the access and modification dates of the output file to be the same
1008as those of the input file.
1009
1010@item --debugging
1011Convert debugging information, if possible. This is not the default
1012because only certain debugging formats are supported, and the
1013conversion process can be time consuming.
1014
1015@item --gap-fill @var{val}
1016Fill gaps between sections with @var{val}. This operation applies to
1017the @emph{load address} (LMA) of the sections. It is done by increasing
1018the size of the section with the lower address, and filling in the extra
1019space created with @var{val}.
1020
1021@item --pad-to @var{address}
1022Pad the output file up to the load address @var{address}. This is
1023done by increasing the size of the last section. The extra space is
1024filled in with the value specified by @samp{--gap-fill} (default zero).
1025
1026@item --set-start @var{val}
f20a759a 1027Set the start address of the new file to @var{val}. Not all object file
252b5132
RH
1028formats support setting the start address.
1029
1030@item --change-start @var{incr}
1031@itemx --adjust-start @var{incr}
1032@cindex changing start address
1033Change the start address by adding @var{incr}. Not all object file
1034formats support setting the start address.
1035
1036@item --change-addresses @var{incr}
1037@itemx --adjust-vma @var{incr}
1038@cindex changing object addresses
1039Change the VMA and LMA addresses of all sections, as well as the start
1040address, by adding @var{incr}. Some object file formats do not permit
1041section addresses to be changed arbitrarily. Note that this does not
1042relocate the sections; if the program expects sections to be loaded at a
1043certain address, and this option is used to change the sections such
1044that 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
1049Set 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
1052section address. See the comments under @samp{--change-addresses},
1053above. If @var{section} does not exist in the input file, a warning will
1054be issued, unless @samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1055
1056@item --change-section-lma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1057@cindex changing section LMA
1058Set or change the LMA address of the named @var{section}. The LMA
1059address is the address where the section will be loaded into memory at
1060program load time. Normally this is the same as the VMA address, which
1061is the address of the section at program run time, but on some systems,
1062especially those where a program is held in ROM, the two can be
1063different. If @samp{=} is used, the section address is set to
1064@var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is added to or subtracted from the
1065section address. See the comments under @samp{--change-addresses},
1066above. If @var{section} does not exist in the input file, a warning
1067will be issued, unless @samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1068
1069@item --change-section-vma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1070@cindex changing section VMA
1071Set or change the VMA address of the named @var{section}. The VMA
1072address is the address where the section will be located once the
1073program has started executing. Normally this is the same as the LMA
1074address, which is the address where the section will be loaded into
1075memory, but on some systems, especially those where a program is held in
1076ROM, the two can be different. If @samp{=} is used, the section address
1077is set to @var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is added to or subtracted
1078from the section address. See the comments under
1079@samp{--change-addresses}, above. If @var{section} does not exist in
1080the input file, a warning will be issued, unless
1081@samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1082
1083@item --change-warnings
1084@itemx --adjust-warnings
1085If @samp{--change-section-address} or @samp{--change-section-lma} or
1086@samp{--change-section-vma} is used, and the named section does not
1087exist, issue a warning. This is the default.
1088
1089@item --no-change-warnings
1090@itemx --no-adjust-warnings
1091Do not issue a warning if @samp{--change-section-address} or
1092@samp{--adjust-section-lma} or @samp{--adjust-section-vma} is used, even
1093if the named section does not exist.
1094
1095@item --set-section-flags @var{section}=@var{flags}
1096Set the flags for the named section. The @var{flags} argument is a
1097comma separated string of flag names. The recognized names are
3994e2c6
ILT
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
1101does not have contents, but it is not meaningful to clear the
1102@samp{contents} flag of a section which does have contents--just remove
1103the section instead. Not all flags are meaningful for all object file
1104formats.
252b5132
RH
1105
1106@item --add-section @var{sectionname}=@var{filename}
1107Add a new section named @var{sectionname} while copying the file. The
1108contents of the new section are taken from the file @var{filename}. The
1109size of the section will be the size of the file. This option only
1110works on file formats which can support sections with arbitrary names.
1111
1112@item --change-leading-char
1113Some object file formats use special characters at the start of
1114symbols. The most common such character is underscore, which compilers
1115often add before every symbol. This option tells @code{objcopy} to
1116change the leading character of every symbol when it converts between
1117object file formats. If the object file formats use the same leading
1118character, this option has no effect. Otherwise, it will add a
1119character, or remove a character, or change a character, as
1120appropriate.
1121
1122@item --remove-leading-char
1123If the first character of a global symbol is a special symbol leading
1124character used by the object file format, remove the character. The
1125most common symbol leading character is underscore. This option will
1126remove a leading underscore from all global symbols. This can be useful
1127if you want to link together objects of different file formats with
1128different conventions for symbol names. This is different from
1129@code{--change-leading-char} because it always changes the symbol name
1130when appropriate, regardless of the object file format of the output
1131file.
1132
1133@item --weaken
1134Change all global symbols in the file to be weak. This can be useful
1135when building an object which will be linked against other objects using
1136the @code{-R} option to the linker. This option is only effective when
1137using an object file format which supports weak symbols.
1138
1139@item -V
1140@itemx --version
1141Show the version number of @code{objcopy}.
1142
1143@item -v
1144@itemx --verbose
1145Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
1146archives, @samp{objcopy -V} lists all members of the archive.
1147
1148@item --help
1149Show 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
1159objdump [ -a | --archive-headers ]
1dada9c5
NC
1160 [ -b @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
1161 [ -C | --demangle ]
1162 [ -d | --disassemble ]
1163 [ -D | --disassemble-all ]
1164 [ -z | --disassemble-zeroes ]
252b5132
RH
1165 [ -EB | -EL | --endian=@{big | little @} ]
1166 [ -f | --file-headers ]
1dada9c5
NC
1167 [ -g | --debugging ]
1168 [ -h | --section-headers | --headers ]
1169 [ -i | --info ]
252b5132 1170 [ -j @var{section} | --section=@var{section} ]
1dada9c5
NC
1171 [ -l | --line-numbers ]
1172 [ -S | --source ]
252b5132 1173 [ -m @var{machine} | --architecture=@var{machine} ]
dd92f639 1174 [ -M @var{options} | --disassembler-options=@var{options}]
252b5132 1175 [ -p | --private-headers ]
1dada9c5
NC
1176 [ -r | --reloc ]
1177 [ -R | --dynamic-reloc ]
1178 [ -s | --full-contents ]
1179 [ -G | --stabs ]
1180 [ -t | --syms ]
1181 [ -T | --dynamic-syms ]
1182 [ -x | --all-headers ]
1183 [ -w | --wide ]
1184 [ --start-address=@var{address} ]
252b5132 1185 [ --stop-address=@var{address} ]
1dada9c5
NC
1186 [ --prefix-addresses]
1187 [ --[no-]show-raw-insn ]
252b5132 1188 [ --adjust-vma=@var{offset} ]
1dada9c5
NC
1189 [ -V | --version ]
1190 [ -H | --help ]
252b5132
RH
1191 @var{objfile}@dots{}
1192@end smallexample
1193
1194@code{objdump} displays information about one or more object files.
1195The options control what particular information to display. This
1196information is mostly useful to programmers who are working on the
1197compilation tools, as opposed to programmers who just want their
1198program to compile and work.
1199
1200@var{objfile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined. When you
1201specify archives, @code{objdump} shows information on each of the member
1202object files.
1203
1204The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
1dada9c5
NC
1205equivalent. At least one option from the list
1206@samp{-a,-d,-D,-f,-g,-G,-h,-H,-p,-r,-R,-S,-t,-T,-V,-x} must be given.
252b5132
RH
1207
1208@table @code
1209@item -a
1210@itemx --archive-header
1211@cindex archive headers
1212If any of the @var{objfile} files are archives, display the archive
1213header information (in a format similar to @samp{ls -l}). Besides the
1214information you could list with @samp{ar tv}, @samp{objdump -a} shows
1215the object file format of each archive member.
1216
1217@item --adjust-vma=@var{offset}
1218@cindex section addresses in objdump
1219@cindex VMA in objdump
1220When dumping information, first add @var{offset} to all the section
1221addresses. This is useful if the section addresses do not correspond to
1222the symbol table, which can happen when putting sections at particular
1223addresses when using a format which can not represent section addresses,
1224such as a.out.
1225
1226@item -b @var{bfdname}
1227@itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1228@cindex object code format
1229Specify that the object-code format for the object files is
1230@var{bfdname}. This option may not be necessary; @var{objdump} can
1231automatically recognize many formats.
1232
1233For example,
1234@example
1235objdump -b oasys -m vax -h fu.o
1236@end example
1237@noindent
1238displays summary information from the section headers (@samp{-h}) of
1239@file{fu.o}, which is explicitly identified (@samp{-m}) as a VAX object
1240file in the format produced by Oasys compilers. You can list the
1241formats available with the @samp{-i} option.
1242@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1243
1244@item -C
1245@itemx --demangle
1246@cindex demangling in objdump
1247Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
1248Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
1249makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
1250on demangling.
1251
1dada9c5 1252@item -G
252b5132
RH
1253@item --debugging
1254Display debugging information. This attempts to parse debugging
1255information stored in the file and print it out using a C like syntax.
1256Only certain types of debugging information have been implemented.
1257
1258@item -d
1259@itemx --disassemble
1260@cindex disassembling object code
1261@cindex machine instructions
1262Display the assembler mnemonics for the machine instructions from
1263@var{objfile}. This option only disassembles those sections which are
1264expected to contain instructions.
1265
1266@item -D
1267@itemx --disassemble-all
1268Like @samp{-d}, but disassemble the contents of all sections, not just
1269those expected to contain instructions.
1270
1271@item --prefix-addresses
1272When disassembling, print the complete address on each line. This is
1273the older disassembly format.
1274
1275@item --disassemble-zeroes
1276Normally the disassembly output will skip blocks of zeroes. This
1277option directs the disassembler to disassemble those blocks, just like
1278any other data.
1279
1280@item -EB
1281@itemx -EL
1282@itemx --endian=@{big|little@}
1283@cindex endianness
1284@cindex disassembly endianness
1285Specify the endianness of the object files. This only affects
1286disassembly. This can be useful when disassembling a file format which
1287does not describe endianness information, such as S-records.
1288
1289@item -f
1290@itemx --file-header
1291@cindex object file header
1292Display summary information from the overall header of
1293each of the @var{objfile} files.
1294
1295@item -h
1296@itemx --section-header
1297@itemx --header
1298@cindex section headers
1299Display summary information from the section headers of the
1300object file.
1301
1302File segments may be relocated to nonstandard addresses, for example by
1303using the @samp{-Ttext}, @samp{-Tdata}, or @samp{-Tbss} options to
1304@code{ld}. However, some object file formats, such as a.out, do not
1305store the starting address of the file segments. In those situations,
1306although @code{ld} relocates the sections correctly, using @samp{objdump
1307-h} to list the file section headers cannot show the correct addresses.
1308Instead, it shows the usual addresses, which are implicit for the
1309target.
1310
1311@item --help
1312Print a summary of the options to @code{objdump} and exit.
1313
1314@item -i
1315@itemx --info
1316@cindex architectures available
1317@cindex object formats available
1318Display a list showing all architectures and object formats available
1319for specification with @samp{-b} or @samp{-m}.
1320
1321@item -j @var{name}
1322@itemx --section=@var{name}
1323@cindex section information
1324Display information only for section @var{name}.
1325
1326@item -l
1327@itemx --line-numbers
1328@cindex source filenames for object files
1329Label the display (using debugging information) with the filename and
1330source line numbers corresponding to the object code or relocs shown.
1331Only useful with @samp{-d}, @samp{-D}, or @samp{-r}.
1332
1333@item -m @var{machine}
1334@itemx --architecture=@var{machine}
1335@cindex architecture
1336@cindex disassembly architecture
1337Specify the architecture to use when disassembling object files. This
1338can be useful when disassembling object files which do not describe
1339architecture information, such as S-records. You can list the available
1340architectures with the @samp{-i} option.
1341
dd92f639
NC
1342@item -M @var{options}
1343@itemx --disassembler-options=@var{options}
1344Pass target specific information to the disassembler. Only supported on
1345some targets.
1346
1347If the target is an ARM architecture then this switch can be used to
1348select which register name set is used during disassembler. Specifying
1349@samp{--disassembler-options=reg-name-std} (the default) will select the
1350register names as used in ARM's instruction set documentation, but with
1351register 13 called 'sp', register 14 called 'lr' and register 15 called
1352'pc'. Specifying @samp{--disassembler-options=reg-names-apcs} will
1353select the name set used by the ARM Procedure Call Standard, whilst
1354specifying @samp{--disassembler-options=reg-names-raw} will just use
1355@samp{r} followed by the register number.
1356
8f915f68
NC
1357This option can also be used for ARM architectures to force the
1358disassembler to interpret all instructions as THUMB instructions by
1359using the switch @samp{--disassembler-options=force-thumb}. This can be
1360useful when attempting to disassemble thumb code produced by other
1361compilers.
1362
252b5132
RH
1363@item -p
1364@itemx --private-headers
1365Print information that is specific to the object file format. The exact
1366information printed depends upon the object file format. For some
1367object file formats, no additional information is printed.
1368
1369@item -r
1370@itemx --reloc
1371@cindex relocation entries, in object file
1372Print the relocation entries of the file. If used with @samp{-d} or
1373@samp{-D}, the relocations are printed interspersed with the
1374disassembly.
1375
1376@item -R
1377@itemx --dynamic-reloc
1378@cindex dynamic relocation entries, in object file
1379Print the dynamic relocation entries of the file. This is only
1380meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
1381libraries.
1382
1383@item -s
1384@itemx --full-contents
1385@cindex sections, full contents
1386@cindex object file sections
1387Display the full contents of any sections requested.
1388
1389@item -S
1390@itemx --source
1391@cindex source disassembly
1392@cindex disassembly, with source
1393Display source code intermixed with disassembly, if possible. Implies
1394@samp{-d}.
1395
1396@item --show-raw-insn
1397When disassembling instructions, print the instruction in hex as well as
1398in symbolic form. This is the default except when
1399@code{--prefix-addresses} is used.
1400
1401@item --no-show-raw-insn
1402When disassembling instructions, do not print the instruction bytes.
1403This is the default when @code{--prefix-addresses} is used.
1404
1dada9c5 1405@item -G
252b5132
RH
1406@item --stabs
1407@cindex stab
1408@cindex .stab
1409@cindex debug symbols
1410@cindex ELF object file format
1411Display the full contents of any sections requested. Display the
1412contents of the .stab and .stab.index and .stab.excl sections from an
1413ELF file. This is only useful on systems (such as Solaris 2.0) in which
1414@code{.stab} debugging symbol-table entries are carried in an ELF
1415section. In most other file formats, debugging symbol-table entries are
1416interleaved with linkage symbols, and are visible in the @samp{--syms}
1417output. For more information on stabs symbols, see @ref{Top,Stabs,Stabs
1418Overview,stabs.info, The ``stabs'' debug format}.
1419
1420@item --start-address=@var{address}
1421@cindex start-address
1422Start displaying data at the specified address. This affects the output
1423of the @code{-d}, @code{-r} and @code{-s} options.
1424
1425@item --stop-address=@var{address}
1426@cindex stop-address
1427Stop displaying data at the specified address. This affects the output
1428of the @code{-d}, @code{-r} and @code{-s} options.
1429
1430@item -t
1431@itemx --syms
1432@cindex symbol table entries, printing
1433Print the symbol table entries of the file.
1434This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm} program.
1435
1436@item -T
1437@itemx --dynamic-syms
1438@cindex dynamic symbol table entries, printing
1439Print the dynamic symbol table entries of the file. This is only
1440meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
1441libraries. This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm}
1442program when given the @samp{-D} (@samp{--dynamic}) option.
1443
1444@item --version
1445Print the version number of @code{objdump} and exit.
1446
1447@item -x
1448@itemx --all-header
1449@cindex all header information, object file
1450@cindex header information, all
1451Display all available header information, including the symbol table and
1452relocation entries. Using @samp{-x} is equivalent to specifying all of
1453@samp{-a -f -h -r -t}.
1454
1455@item -w
1456@itemx --wide
1457@cindex wide output, printing
1458Format some lines for output devices that have more than 80 columns.
1459@end table
1460
1461@node ranlib
1462@chapter ranlib
1463
1464@kindex ranlib
1465@cindex archive contents
1466@cindex symbol index
1467
1468@smallexample
1469ranlib [-vV] @var{archive}
1470@end smallexample
1471
1472@code{ranlib} generates an index to the contents of an archive and
1473stores it in the archive. The index lists each symbol defined by a
1474member of an archive that is a relocatable object file.
1475
1476You may use @samp{nm -s} or @samp{nm --print-armap} to list this index.
1477
1478An archive with such an index speeds up linking to the library and
1479allows routines in the library to call each other without regard to
1480their placement in the archive.
1481
1482The @sc{gnu} @code{ranlib} program is another form of @sc{gnu} @code{ar}; running
1483@code{ranlib} is completely equivalent to executing @samp{ar -s}.
1484@xref{ar}.
1485
1486@table @code
1487@item -v
1488@itemx -V
f20a759a 1489@itemx --version
252b5132
RH
1490Show the version number of @code{ranlib}.
1491@end table
1492
1493@node size
1494@chapter size
1495
1496@kindex size
1497@cindex section sizes
1498
1499@smallexample
1500size [ -A | -B | --format=@var{compatibility} ]
1501 [ --help ] [ -d | -o | -x | --radix=@var{number} ]
1502 [ --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ -V | --version ]
1503 [ @var{objfile}@dots{} ]
1504@end smallexample
1505
1506The @sc{gnu} @code{size} utility lists the section sizes---and the total
1507size---for each of the object or archive files @var{objfile} in its
1508argument list. By default, one line of output is generated for each
1509object file or each module in an archive.
1510
1511@var{objfile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined.
1512If none are specified, the file @code{a.out} will be used.
1513
1514The command line options have the following meanings:
1515
1516@table @code
1517@item -A
1518@itemx -B
1519@itemx --format=@var{compatibility}
1520@cindex @code{size} display format
1521Using one of these options, you can choose whether the output from @sc{gnu}
1522@code{size} resembles output from System V @code{size} (using @samp{-A},
1523or @samp{--format=sysv}), or Berkeley @code{size} (using @samp{-B}, or
1524@samp{--format=berkeley}). The default is the one-line format similar to
1525Berkeley's.
1526@c Bonus for doc-source readers: you can also say --format=strange (or
1527@c anything else that starts with 's') for sysv, and --format=boring (or
1528@c anything else that starts with 'b') for Berkeley.
1529
1530Here is an example of the Berkeley (default) format of output from
1531@code{size}:
1532@smallexample
f20a759a 1533$ size --format=Berkeley ranlib size
252b5132
RH
1534text data bss dec hex filename
1535294880 81920 11592 388392 5ed28 ranlib
1536294880 81920 11888 388688 5ee50 size
1537@end smallexample
1538
1539@noindent
1540This is the same data, but displayed closer to System V conventions:
1541
1542@smallexample
f20a759a 1543$ size --format=SysV ranlib size
252b5132
RH
1544ranlib :
1545section size addr
1546.text 294880 8192
1547.data 81920 303104
1548.bss 11592 385024
1549Total 388392
1550
1551
1552size :
1553section size addr
1554.text 294880 8192
1555.data 81920 303104
1556.bss 11888 385024
1557Total 388688
1558@end smallexample
1559
1560@item --help
1561Show a summary of acceptable arguments and options.
1562
1563@item -d
1564@itemx -o
1565@itemx -x
1566@itemx --radix=@var{number}
1567@cindex @code{size} number format
1568@cindex radix for section sizes
1569Using one of these options, you can control whether the size of each
1570section is given in decimal (@samp{-d}, or @samp{--radix=10}); octal
1571(@samp{-o}, or @samp{--radix=8}); or hexadecimal (@samp{-x}, or
1572@samp{--radix=16}). In @samp{--radix=@var{number}}, only the three
1573values (8, 10, 16) are supported. The total size is always given in two
1574radices; decimal and hexadecimal for @samp{-d} or @samp{-x} output, or
1575octal and hexadecimal if you're using @samp{-o}.
1576
1577@item --target=@var{bfdname}
1578@cindex object code format
1579Specify that the object-code format for @var{objfile} is
1580@var{bfdname}. This option may not be necessary; @code{size} can
1581automatically recognize many formats.
1582@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1583
1584@item -V
1585@itemx --version
1586Display the version number of @code{size}.
1587@end table
1588
1589@node strings
1590@chapter strings
1591@kindex strings
1592@cindex listings strings
1593@cindex printing strings
1594@cindex strings, printing
1595
1596@smallexample
1597strings [-afov] [-@var{min-len}] [-n @var{min-len}] [-t @var{radix}] [-]
1598 [--all] [--print-file-name] [--bytes=@var{min-len}]
1599 [--radix=@var{radix}] [--target=@var{bfdname}]
1600 [--help] [--version] @var{file}@dots{}
1601@end smallexample
1602
1603For each @var{file} given, @sc{gnu} @code{strings} prints the printable
1604character sequences that are at least 4 characters long (or the number
1605given with the options below) and are followed by an unprintable
1606character. By default, it only prints the strings from the initialized
1607and loaded sections of object files; for other types of files, it prints
1608the strings from the whole file.
1609
1610@code{strings} is mainly useful for determining the contents of non-text
1611files.
1612
1613@table @code
1614@item -a
1615@itemx --all
1616@itemx -
1617Do not scan only the initialized and loaded sections of object files;
1618scan the whole files.
1619
1620@item -f
1621@itemx --print-file-name
1622Print the name of the file before each string.
1623
1624@item --help
1625Print a summary of the program usage on the standard output and exit.
1626
1627@item -@var{min-len}
1628@itemx -n @var{min-len}
1629@itemx --bytes=@var{min-len}
1630Print sequences of characters that are at least @var{min-len} characters
1631long, instead of the default 4.
1632
1633@item -o
1634Like @samp{-t o}. Some other versions of @code{strings} have @samp{-o}
1635act like @samp{-t d} instead. Since we can not be compatible with both
1636ways, we simply chose one.
1637
1638@item -t @var{radix}
1639@itemx --radix=@var{radix}
1640Print the offset within the file before each string. The single
1641character argument specifies the radix of the offset---@samp{o} for
1642octal, @samp{x} for hexadecimal, or @samp{d} for decimal.
1643
1644@item --target=@var{bfdname}
1645@cindex object code format
1646Specify an object code format other than your system's default format.
1647@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1648
1649@item -v
1650@itemx --version
1651Print the program version number on the standard output and exit.
1652@end table
1653
1654@node strip
1655@chapter strip
1656
1657@kindex strip
1658@cindex removing symbols
1659@cindex discarding symbols
1660@cindex symbols, discarding
1661
1662@smallexample
1663strip [ -F @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
1664 [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1665 [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1666 [ -s | --strip-all ] [ -S | -g | --strip-debug ]
1667 [ -K @var{symbolname} | --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
1668 [ -N @var{symbolname} | --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
1669 [ -x | --discard-all ] [ -X | --discard-locals ]
1670 [ -R @var{sectionname} | --remove-section=@var{sectionname} ]
1671 [ -o @var{file} ] [ -p | --preserve-dates ]
1672 [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ]
1673 @var{objfile}@dots{}
1674@end smallexample
1675
1676@sc{gnu} @code{strip} discards all symbols from object files
1677@var{objfile}. The list of object files may include archives.
1678At least one object file must be given.
1679
1680@code{strip} modifies the files named in its argument,
1681rather than writing modified copies under different names.
1682
1683@table @code
1684@item -F @var{bfdname}
1685@itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1686Treat the original @var{objfile} as a file with the object
1687code format @var{bfdname}, and rewrite it in the same format.
1688@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1689
1690@item --help
1691Show a summary of the options to @code{strip} and exit.
1692
1693@item -I @var{bfdname}
1694@itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
1695Treat the original @var{objfile} as a file with the object
1696code format @var{bfdname}.
1697@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1698
1699@item -O @var{bfdname}
1700@itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
1701Replace @var{objfile} with a file in the output format @var{bfdname}.
1702@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1703
1704@item -R @var{sectionname}
1705@itemx --remove-section=@var{sectionname}
1706Remove any section named @var{sectionname} from the output file. This
1707option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
1708inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
1709
1710@item -s
1711@itemx --strip-all
1712Remove all symbols.
1713
1714@item -g
1715@itemx -S
1716@itemx --strip-debug
1717Remove debugging symbols only.
1718
1719@item --strip-unneeded
1720Remove all symbols that are not needed for relocation processing.
1721
1722@item -K @var{symbolname}
1723@itemx --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname}
1724Keep only symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may
1725be given more than once.
1726
1727@item -N @var{symbolname}
1728@itemx --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname}
1729Remove symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may be
1730given more than once, and may be combined with strip options other than
1731@code{-K}.
1732
1733@item -o @var{file}
1734Put the stripped output in @var{file}, rather than replacing the
1735existing file. When this argument is used, only one @var{objfile}
1736argument may be specified.
1737
1738@item -p
1739@itemx --preserve-dates
1740Preserve the access and modification dates of the file.
1741
1742@item -x
1743@itemx --discard-all
1744Remove non-global symbols.
1745
1746@item -X
1747@itemx --discard-locals
1748Remove compiler-generated local symbols.
1749(These usually start with @samp{L} or @samp{.}.)
1750
1751@item -V
1752@itemx --version
1753Show the version number for @code{strip}.
1754
1755@item -v
1756@itemx --verbose
1757Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
1758archives, @samp{strip -v} lists all members of the archive.
1759@end table
1760
9d51cc66 1761@node c++filt, addr2line, strip, Top
252b5132
RH
1762@chapter c++filt
1763
1764@kindex c++filt
1765@cindex demangling C++ symbols
1766
1767@smallexample
1768c++filt [ -_ | --strip-underscores ]
1769 [ -j | --java ]
1770 [ -n | --no-strip-underscores ]
1771 [ -s @var{format} | --format=@var{format} ]
1772 [ --help ] [ --version ] [ @var{symbol}@dots{} ]
1773@end smallexample
1774
9d51cc66 1775@kindex cxxfilt
252b5132
RH
1776The C++ and Java languages provides function overloading, which means
1777that you can write many functions with the same name (providing each
1778takes parameters of different types). All C++ and Java function names
1779are encoded into a low-level assembly label (this process is known as
9d51cc66
ILT
1780@dfn{mangling}). The @code{c++filt}
1781@footnote{MS-DOS does not allow @kbd{+} characters in file names, so on
1782MS-DOS this program is named @code{cxxfilt}.}
1783program does the inverse mapping: it decodes (@dfn{demangles}) low-level
1784names into user-level names so that the linker can keep these overloaded
1785functions from clashing.
252b5132
RH
1786
1787Every alphanumeric word (consisting of letters, digits, underscores,
1788dollars, or periods) seen in the input is a potential label. If the
1789label decodes into a C++ name, the C++ name replaces the low-level
1790name in the output.
1791
1792You can use @code{c++filt} to decipher individual symbols:
1793
1794@example
1795c++filt @var{symbol}
1796@end example
1797
1798If no @var{symbol} arguments are given, @code{c++filt} reads symbol
1799names from the standard input and writes the demangled names to the
1800standard output. All results are printed on the standard output.
1801
1802@table @code
1803@item -_
1804@itemx --strip-underscores
1805On some systems, both the C and C++ compilers put an underscore in front
1806of every name. For example, the C name @code{foo} gets the low-level
1807name @code{_foo}. This option removes the initial underscore. Whether
1808@code{c++filt} removes the underscore by default is target dependent.
1809
1810@item -j
1811@itemx --java
1812Prints demangled names using Java syntax. The default is to use C++
1813syntax.
1814
1815@item -n
1816@itemx --no-strip-underscores
1817Do not remove the initial underscore.
1818
1819@item -s @var{format}
1820@itemx --format=@var{format}
1821@sc{gnu} @code{nm} can decode three different methods of mangling, used by
1822different C++ compilers. The argument to this option selects which
1823method it uses:
1824
1825@table @code
1826@item gnu
1827the one used by the @sc{gnu} compiler (the default method)
1828@item lucid
1829the one used by the Lucid compiler
1830@item arm
1831the one specified by the C++ Annotated Reference Manual
1832@item hp
1833the one used by the HP compiler
1834@item edg
1835the one used by the EDG compiler
1836@end table
1837
1838@item --help
1839Print a summary of the options to @code{c++filt} and exit.
1840
1841@item --version
1842Print the version number of @code{c++filt} and exit.
1843@end table
1844
1845@quotation
1846@emph{Warning:} @code{c++filt} is a new utility, and the details of its
1847user interface are subject to change in future releases. In particular,
1848a command-line option may be required in the the future to decode a name
1849passed as an argument on the command line; in other words,
1850
1851@example
1852c++filt @var{symbol}
1853@end example
1854
1855@noindent
1856may in a future release become
1857
1858@example
1859c++filt @var{option} @var{symbol}
1860@end example
1861@end quotation
1862
1863@node addr2line
1864@chapter addr2line
1865
1866@kindex addr2line
1867@cindex address to file name and line number
1868
1869@smallexample
1870addr2line [ -b @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
1871 [ -C | --demangle ]
1872 [ -e @var{filename} | --exe=@var{filename} ]
1873 [ -f | --functions ] [ -s | --basename ]
1874 [ -H | --help ] [ -V | --version ]
1875 [ addr addr ... ]
1876@end smallexample
1877
1878@code{addr2line} translates program addresses into file names and line
1879numbers. Given an address and an executable, it uses the debugging
1880information in the executable to figure out which file name and line
1881number are associated with a given address.
1882
1883The executable to use is specified with the @code{-e} option. The
f20a759a 1884default is the file @file{a.out}.
252b5132
RH
1885
1886@code{addr2line} has two modes of operation.
1887
1888In the first, hexadecimal addresses are specified on the command line,
1889and @code{addr2line} displays the file name and line number for each
1890address.
1891
1892In the second, @code{addr2line} reads hexadecimal addresses from
1893standard input, and prints the file name and line number for each
1894address on standard output. In this mode, @code{addr2line} may be used
1895in a pipe to convert dynamically chosen addresses.
1896
1897The format of the output is @samp{FILENAME:LINENO}. The file name and
1898line number for each address is printed on a separate line. If the
1899@code{-f} option is used, then each @samp{FILENAME:LINENO} line is
1900preceded by a @samp{FUNCTIONNAME} line which is the name of the function
1901containing the address.
1902
1903If the file name or function name can not be determined,
1904@code{addr2line} will print two question marks in their place. If the
1905line number can not be determined, @code{addr2line} will print 0.
1906
1907The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
1908equivalent.
1909
1910@table @code
1911@item -b @var{bfdname}
1912@itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1913@cindex object code format
1914Specify that the object-code format for the object files is
1915@var{bfdname}.
1916
1917@item -C
1918@itemx --demangle
1919@cindex demangling in objdump
1920Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
1921Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
1922makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
1923on demangling.
1924
1925@item -e @var{filename}
1926@itemx --exe=@var{filename}
1927Specify the name of the executable for which addresses should be
1928translated. The default file is @file{a.out}.
1929
1930@item -f
1931@itemx --functions
1932Display function names as well as file and line number information.
1933
1934@item -s
1935@itemx --basenames
1936Display only the base of each file name.
1937@end table
1938
1939@node nlmconv
1940@chapter nlmconv
1941
1942@code{nlmconv} converts a relocatable object file into a NetWare
1943Loadable Module.
1944
1945@ignore
1946@code{nlmconv} currently works with @samp{i386} object
1947files in @code{coff}, @sc{elf}, or @code{a.out} format, and @sc{SPARC}
1948object files in @sc{elf}, or @code{a.out} format@footnote{
1949@code{nlmconv} should work with any @samp{i386} or @sc{sparc} object
1950format in the Binary File Descriptor library. It has only been tested
1951with the above formats.}.
1952@end ignore
1953
1954@quotation
1955@emph{Warning:} @code{nlmconv} is not always built as part of the binary
1956utilities, since it is only useful for NLM targets.
1957@end quotation
1958
1959@smallexample
1960nlmconv [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1961 [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1962 [ -T @var{headerfile} | --header-file=@var{headerfile} ]
1963 [ -d | --debug] [ -l @var{linker} | --linker=@var{linker} ]
1964 [ -h | --help ] [ -V | --version ]
1965 @var{infile} @var{outfile}
1966@end smallexample
1967
1968@code{nlmconv} converts the relocatable @samp{i386} object file
1969@var{infile} into the NetWare Loadable Module @var{outfile}, optionally
1970reading @var{headerfile} for NLM header information. For instructions
1971on writing the NLM command file language used in header files, see the
1972@samp{linkers} section, @samp{NLMLINK} in particular, of the @cite{NLM
1973Development and Tools Overview}, which is part of the NLM Software
1974Developer's Kit (``NLM SDK''), available from Novell, Inc.
1975@code{nlmconv} uses the @sc{gnu} Binary File Descriptor library to read
1976@var{infile}; see @ref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD}, for
1977more information.
1978
1979@code{nlmconv} can perform a link step. In other words, you can list
1980more than one object file for input if you list them in the definitions
1981file (rather than simply specifying one input file on the command line).
1982In this case, @code{nlmconv} calls the linker for you.
1983
1984@table @code
1985@item -I @var{bfdname}
1986@itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
1987Object format of the input file. @code{nlmconv} can usually determine
1988the format of a given file (so no default is necessary).
1989@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1990
1991@item -O @var{bfdname}
1992@itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
1993Object format of the output file. @code{nlmconv} infers the output
1994format based on the input format, e.g. for a @samp{i386} input file the
1995output format is @samp{nlm32-i386}.
1996@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1997
1998@item -T @var{headerfile}
1999@itemx --header-file=@var{headerfile}
2000Reads @var{headerfile} for NLM header information. For instructions on
2001writing the NLM command file language used in header files, see@ see the
2002@samp{linkers} section, of the @cite{NLM Development and Tools
2003Overview}, which is part of the NLM Software Developer's Kit, available
2004from Novell, Inc.
2005
2006@item -d
2007@itemx --debug
2008Displays (on standard error) the linker command line used by @code{nlmconv}.
2009
2010@item -l @var{linker}
2011@itemx --linker=@var{linker}
2012Use @var{linker} for any linking. @var{linker} can be an absolute or a
2013relative pathname.
2014
2015@item -h
2016@itemx --help
2017Prints a usage summary.
2018
2019@item -V
2020@itemx --version
2021Prints the version number for @code{nlmconv}.
2022@end table
2023
2024@node windres
2025@chapter windres
2026
2027@code{windres} may be used to manipulate Windows resources.
2028
2029@quotation
2030@emph{Warning:} @code{windres} is not always built as part of the binary
2031utilities, since it is only useful for Windows targets.
2032@end quotation
2033
2034@smallexample
2035windres [options] [input-file] [output-file]
2036@end smallexample
2037
2038@code{windres} reads resources from an input file and copies them into
2039an output file. Either file may be in one of three formats:
2040
2041@table @code
2042@item rc
2043A text format read by the Resource Compiler.
2044
2045@item res
2046A binary format generated by the Resource Compiler.
2047
2048@item coff
2049A COFF object or executable.
2050@end table
2051
2052The exact description of these different formats is available in
2053documentation from Microsoft.
2054
2055When @code{windres} converts from the @code{rc} format to the @code{res}
2056format, it is acting like the Windows Resource Compiler. When
2057@code{windres} converts from the @code{res} format to the @code{coff}
2058format, it is acting like the Windows @code{CVTRES} program.
2059
2060When @code{windres} generates an @code{rc} file, the output is similar
2061but not identical to the format expected for the input. When an input
2062@code{rc} file refers to an external filename, an output @code{rc} file
2063will instead include the file contents.
2064
2065If the input or output format is not specified, @code{windres} will
2066guess based on the file name, or, for the input file, the file contents.
2067A file with an extension of @file{.rc} will be treated as an @code{rc}
2068file, a file with an extension of @file{.res} will be treated as a
2069@code{res} file, and a file with an extension of @file{.o} or
2070@file{.exe} will be treated as a @code{coff} file.
2071
2072If no output file is specified, @code{windres} will print the resources
2073in @code{rc} format to standard output.
2074
2075The normal use is for you to write an @code{rc} file, use @code{windres}
2076to convert it to a COFF object file, and then link the COFF file into
2077your application. This will make the resources described in the
2078@code{rc} file available to Windows.
2079
2080@table @code
2081@item -i @var{filename}
2082@itemx --input @var{filename}
2083The name of the input file. If this option is not used, then
2084@code{windres} will use the first non-option argument as the input file
2085name. If there are no non-option arguments, then @code{windres} will
2086read from standard input. @code{windres} can not read a COFF file from
2087standard input.
2088
2089@item -o @var{filename}
2090@itemx --output @var{filename}
2091The name of the output file. If this option is not used, then
2092@code{windres} will use the first non-option argument, after any used
2093for the input file name, as the output file name. If there is no
2094non-option argument, then @code{windres} will write to standard output.
2095@code{windres} can not write a COFF file to standard output.
2096
2097@item -I @var{format}
2098@itemx --input-format @var{format}
2099The input format to read. @var{format} may be @samp{res}, @samp{rc}, or
2100@samp{coff}. If no input format is specified, @code{windres} will
2101guess, as described above.
2102
2103@item -O @var{format}
2104@itemx --output-format @var{format}
2105The output format to generate. @var{format} may be @samp{res},
2106@samp{rc}, or @samp{coff}. If no output format is specified,
2107@code{windres} will guess, as described above.
2108
2109@item -F @var{target}
2110@itemx --target @var{target}
2111Specify the BFD format to use for a COFF file as input or output. This
2112is a BFD target name; you can use the @code{--help} option to see a list
2113of supported targets. Normally @code{windres} will use the default
2114format, which is the first one listed by the @code{--help} option.
2115@ref{Target Selection}.
2116
2117@item --preprocessor @var{program}
2118When @code{windres} reads an @code{rc} file, it runs it through the C
2119preprocessor first. This option may be used to specify the preprocessor
2120to use, including any leading arguments. The default preprocessor
2121argument is @code{gcc -E -xc-header -DRC_INVOKED}.
2122
2123@item --include-dir @var{directory}
2124Specify an include directory to use when reading an @code{rc} file.
2125@code{windres} will pass this to the preprocessor as an @code{-I}
2126option. @code{windres} will also search this directory when looking for
2127files named in the @code{rc} file.
2128
751d21b5 2129@item -D @var{target}
ad0481cd 2130@itemx --define @var{sym}[=@var{val}]
252b5132
RH
2131Specify a @code{-D} option to pass to the preprocessor when reading an
2132@code{rc} file.
2133
751d21b5
DD
2134@item -v
2135Enable verbose mode. This tells you what the preprocessor is if you
2136didn't specify one.
2137
252b5132
RH
2138@item --language @var{val}
2139Specify the default language to use when reading an @code{rc} file.
2140@var{val} should be a hexadecimal language code. The low eight bits are
2141the language, and the high eight bits are the sublanguage.
2142
2143@item --help
2144Prints a usage summary.
2145
2146@item --version
2147Prints the version number for @code{windres}.
2148
2149@item --yydebug
2150If @code{windres} is compiled with @code{YYDEBUG} defined as @code{1},
2151this will turn on parser debugging.
2152@end table
2153
2154
2155@node dlltool
2156@chapter Create files needed to build and use DLLs
2157@cindex DLL
2158@kindex dlltool
2159
2160@code{dlltool} may be used to create the files needed to build and use
2161dynamic link libraries (DLLs).
2162
2163@quotation
2164@emph{Warning:} @code{dlltool} is not always built as part of the binary
2165utilities, since it is only useful for those targets which support DLLs.
2166@end quotation
2167
2168@smallexample
2169dlltool [-d|--input-def @var{def-file-name}]
2170 [-b|--base-file @var{base-file-name}]
2171 [-e|--output-exp @var{exports-file-name}]
2172 [-z|--output-def @var{def-file-name}]
2173 [-l|--output-lib @var{library-file-name}]
2174 [--export-all-symbols] [--no-export-all-symbols]
2175 [--exclude-symbols @var{list}]
2176 [--no-default-excludes]
2177 [-S|--as @var{path-to-assembler}] [-f|--as-flags @var{options}]
2178 [-D|--dllname @var{name}] [-m|--machine @var{machine}]
2179 [-a|--add-indirect] [-U|--add-underscore] [-k|--kill-at]
2180 [-A|--add-stdcall-alias]
2181 [-x|--no-idata4] [-c|--no-idata5] [-i|--interwork]
2182 [-n|--nodelete] [-v|--verbose] [-h|--help] [-V|--version]
2183 [object-file @dots{}]
2184@end smallexample
2185
2186@code{dlltool} reads its inputs, which can come from the @samp{-d} and
2187@samp{-b} options as well as object files specified on the command
2188line. It then processes these inputs and if the @samp{-e} option has
2189been specified it creates a exports file. If the @samp{-l} option
2190has been specified it creates a library file and if the @samp{-z} option
2191has been specified it creates a def file. Any or all of the -e, -l
2192and -z options can be present in one invocation of dlltool.
2193
2194When creating a DLL, along with the source for the DLL, it is necessary
2195to have three other files. @code{dlltool} can help with the creation of
2196these files.
2197
2198The first file is a @samp{.def} file which specifies which functions are
2199exported from the DLL, which functions the DLL imports, and so on. This
2200is a text file and can be created by hand, or @code{dlltool} can be used
2201to create it using the @samp{-z} option. In this case @code{dlltool}
2202will scan the object files specified on its command line looking for
2203those functions which have been specially marked as being exported and
2204put entries for them in the .def file it creates.
2205
2206In order to mark a function as being exported from a DLL, it needs to
2207have an @samp{-export:<name_of_function>} entry in the @samp{.drectve}
2208section of the object file. This can be done in C by using the
2209asm() operator:
2210
2211@smallexample
2212 asm (".section .drectve");
2213 asm (".ascii \"-export:my_func\"");
2214
2215 int my_func (void) @{ @dots{} @}
2216@end smallexample
2217
2218The second file needed for DLL creation is an exports file. This file
2219is linked with the object files that make up the body of the DLL and it
2220handles the interface between the DLL and the outside world. This is a
2221binary file and it can be created by giving the @samp{-e} option to
2222@code{dlltool} when it is creating or reading in a .def file.
2223
2224The third file needed for DLL creation is the library file that programs
2225will link with in order to access the functions in the DLL. This file
2226can be created by giving the @samp{-l} option to dlltool when it
2227is creating or reading in a .def file.
2228
2229@code{dlltool} builds the library file by hand, but it builds the
2230exports file by creating temporary files containing assembler statements
2231and then assembling these. The @samp{-S} command line option can be
2232used to specify the path to the assembler that dlltool will use,
2233and the @samp{-f} option can be used to pass specific flags to that
2234assembler. The @samp{-n} can be used to prevent dlltool from deleting
2235these temporary assembler files when it is done, and if @samp{-n} is
2236specified twice then this will prevent dlltool from deleting the
2237temporary object files it used to build the library.
2238
2239Here is an example of creating a DLL from a source file @samp{dll.c} and
2240also creating a program (from an object file called @samp{program.o})
2241that uses that DLL:
2242
2243@smallexample
2244 gcc -c dll.c
2245 dlltool -e exports.o -l dll.lib dll.o
2246 gcc dll.o exports.o -o dll.dll
2247 gcc program.o dll.lib -o program
2248@end smallexample
2249
2250The command line options have the following meanings:
2251
2252@table @code
2253
2254@item -d @var{filename}
2255@itemx --input-def @var{filename}
2256@cindex input .def file
2257Specifies the name of a .def file to be read in and processed.
2258
2259@item -b @var{filename}
2260@itemx --base-file @var{filename}
2261@cindex base files
2262Specifies the name of a base file to be read in and processed. The
2263contents of this file will be added to the relocation section in the
2264exports file generated by dlltool.
2265
2266@item -e @var{filename}
2267@itemx --output-exp @var{filename}
2268Specifies the name of the export file to be created by dlltool.
2269
2270@item -z @var{filename}
2271@itemx --output-def @var{filename}
2272Specifies the name of the .def file to be created by dlltool.
2273
2274@item -l @var{filename}
2275@itemx --output-lib @var{filename}
2276Specifies the name of the library file to be created by dlltool.
2277
2278@item --export-all-symbols
2279Treat all global and weak defined symbols found in the input object
2280files as symbols to be exported. There is a small list of symbols which
2281are not exported by default; see the @code{--no-default-excludes}
2282option. You may add to the list of symbols to not export by using the
2283@code{--exclude-symbols} option.
2284
2285@item --no-export-all-symbols
2286Only export symbols explicitly listed in an input .def file or in
2287@samp{.drectve} sections in the input object files. This is the default
2288behaviour. The @samp{.drectve} sections are created by @samp{dllexport}
2289attributes in the source code.
2290
2291@item --exclude-symbols @var{list}
2292Do not export the symbols in @var{list}. This is a list of symbol names
2293separated by comma or colon characters. The symbol names should not
2294contain a leading underscore. This is only meaningful when
2295@code{--export-all-symbols} is used.
2296
2297@item --no-default-excludes
2298When @code{--export-all-symbols} is used, it will by default avoid
2299exporting certain special symbols. The current list of symbols to avoid
2300exporting is @samp{DllMain@@12}, @samp{DllEntryPoint@@0},
2301@samp{impure_ptr}. You may use the @code{--no-default-excludes} option
2302to go ahead and export these special symbols. This is only meaningful
2303when @code{--export-all-symbols} is used.
2304
2305@item -S @var{path}
2306@itemx --as @var{path}
2307Specifies the path, including the filename, of the assembler to be used
2308to create the exports file.
2309
2310@item -f @var{switches}
2311@itemx --as-flags @var{switches}
2312Specifies any specific command line switches to be passed to the
2313assembler when building the exports file. This option will work even if
2314the @samp{-S} option is not used. This option only takes one argument,
2315and if it occurs more than once on the command line, then later
2316occurrences will override earlier occurrences. So if it is necessary to
2317pass multiple switches to the assembler they should be enclosed in
2318double quotes.
2319
2320@item -D @var{name}
2321@itemx --dll-name @var{name}
2322Specifies the name to be stored in the .def file as the name of the DLL
2323when the @samp{-e} option is used. If this option is not present, then
2324the filename given to the @samp{-e} option will be used as the name of
2325the DLL.
2326
2327@item -m @var{machine}
2328@itemx -machine @var{machine}
2329Specifies the type of machine for which the library file should be
2330built. @code{dlltool} has a built in default type, depending upon how
2331it was created, but this option can be used to override that. This is
2332normally only useful when creating DLLs for an ARM processor, when the
2333contents of the DLL are actually encode using THUMB instructions.
2334
2335@item -a
2336@itemx --add-indirect
2337Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2338should add a section which allows the exported functions to be
2339referenced without using the import library. Whatever the hell that
2340means!
2341
2342@item -U
2343@itemx --add-underscore
2344Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2345should prepend an underscore to the names of the exported functions.
2346
2347@item -k
2348@itemx --kill-at
2349Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2350should not append the string @samp{@@ <number>}. These numbers are
2351called ordinal numbers and they represent another way of accessing the
2352function in a DLL, other than by name.
2353
2354@item -A
2355@itemx --add-stdcall-alias
2356Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2357should add aliases for stdcall symbols without @samp{@@ <number>}
2358in addition to the symbols with @samp{@@ <number>}.
2359
2360@item -x
2361@itemx --no-idata4
2362Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports and library
2363files it should omit the .idata4 section. This is for compatibility
2364with certain operating systems.
2365
2366@item -c
2367@itemx --no-idata5
2368Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports and library
2369files it should omit the .idata5 section. This is for compatibility
2370with certain operating systems.
2371
2372@item -i
2373@itemx --interwork
2374Specifies that @code{dlltool} should mark the objects in the library
2375file and exports file that it produces as supporting interworking
2376between ARM and THUMB code.
2377
2378@item -n
2379@itemx --nodelete
2380Makes @code{dlltool} preserve the temporary assembler files it used to
2381create the exports file. If this option is repeated then dlltool will
2382also preserve the temporary object files it uses to create the library
2383file.
2384
2385@item -v
2386@itemx --verbose
2387Make dlltool describe what it is doing.
2388
2389@item -h
2390@itemx --help
2391Displays a list of command line options and then exits.
2392
2393@item -V
2394@itemx --version
2395Displays dlltool's version number and then exits.
2396
2397@end table
2398
2399@node readelf
2400@chapter readelf
2401
2402@cindex ELF file information
2403@kindex readelf
2404
2405@smallexample
2406readelf [ -a | --all ]
2407 [ -h | --file-header]
2408 [ -l | --program-headers | --segments]
2409 [ -S | --section-headers | --sections]
2410 [ -e | --headers]
2411 [ -s | --syms | --symbols]
779fe533 2412 [ -n | --notes]
252b5132
RH
2413 [ -r | --relocs]
2414 [ -d | --dynamic]
2415 [ -V | --version-info]
2416 [ -D | --use-dynamic]
2417 [ -x <number> | --hex-dump=<number>]
2418 [ -w[liapr] | --debug-dump[=info,=line,=abbrev,=pubnames,=ranges]]
2419 [ --histogram]
2420 [ -v | --version]
2421 [ -H | --help]
2422 @var{elffile}@dots{}
2423@end smallexample
2424
2425@code{readelf} displays information about one or more ELF format object
2426files. The options control what particular information to display.
2427
2428@var{elffile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined. At the
2429moment, @code{readelf} does not support examining archives, nor does it
2430support examing 64 bit ELF files.
2431
2432The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
2433equivalent. At least one option besides @samp{-v} or @samp{-H} must be
2434given.
2435
2436@table @code
2437@item -a
2438@itemx --all
2439Equivalent to specifiying @samp{--file-header},
2440@samp{--program-headers}, @samp{--sections}, @samp{--symbols},
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2441@samp{--relocs}, @samp{--dynamic}, @samp{--notes} and
2442@samp{--version-info}.
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2443
2444@item -h
2445@itemx --file-header
2446@cindex ELF file header information
2447Displays the information contained in the ELF header at the start of the
2448file.
2449
2450@item -l
2451@itemx --program-headers
2452@itemx --segments
2453@cindex ELF program header information
2454@cindex ELF segment information
2455Displays the information contained in the file's segment headers, if it
2456has any.
2457
2458@item -S
2459@itemx --sections
2460@itemx --section-headers
2461@cindex ELF section information
2462Displays the information contained in the file's section headers, if it
2463has any.
2464
2465@item -s
2466@itemx --symbols
2467@itemx --syms
2468@cindex ELF symbol table information
2469Displays the entries in symbol table section of the file, if it has one.
2470
2471@item -e
2472@itemx --headers
2473Display all the headers in the file. Equivalent to @samp{-h -l -S}.
2474
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2475@item -n
2476@itemx --notes
2477@cindex ELF core notes
2478Displays the contents of the NOTE segment, if it exists.
2479
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2480@item -r
2481@itemx --relocs
2482@cindex ELF reloc information
2483Displays the contents of the file's relocation section, if it ha one.
2484
2485@item -d
2486@itemx --dynamic
2487@cindex ELF dynamic section information
2488Displays the contents of the file's dynamic section, if it has one.
2489
2490@item -V
2491@itemx --version-info
2492@cindex ELF version sections informations
2493Displays the contents of the version sections in the file, it they
2494exist.
2495
2496@item -D
2497@itemx --use-dynamic
2498When displaying symbols, this option makes @code{readelf} use the
2499symblol table in the file's dynamic section, rather than the one in the
2500symbols section.
2501
2502@item -x <number>
2503@itemx --hex-dump=<number>
2504Displays the contents of the indicated section as a hexadecimal dump.
2505
2506@item -w[liapr]
2507@itemx --debug-dump[=line,=info,=abbrev,=pubnames,=ranges]
2508Displays the contents of the debug sections in the file, if any are
2509present. If one of the optional letters or words follows the switch
2510then only data found in those specific sections will be dumped.
2511
2512@item --histogram
2513Display a histogram of bucket list lengths when displaying the contents
2514of the symbol tables.
2515
2516@item -v
2517@itemx --version
2518Display the version number of readelf.
2519
2520@item -H
2521@itemx --help
2522Display the command line options understood by @code{readelf}.
2523
2524@end table
2525
2526
2527@node Selecting The Target System
2528@chapter Selecting the target system
2529
2530You can specify three aspects of the target system to the @sc{gnu}
2531binary file utilities, each in several ways:
2532
2533@itemize @bullet
2534@item
2535the target
2536
2537@item
2538the architecture
2539
2540@item
2541the linker emulation (which applies to the linker only)
2542@end itemize
2543
2544In the following summaries, the lists of ways to specify values are in
2545order of decreasing precedence. The ways listed first override those
2546listed later.
2547
2548The commands to list valid values only list the values for which the
2549programs you are running were configured. If they were configured with
2550@samp{--enable-targets=all}, the commands list most of the available
2551values, but a few are left out; not all targets can be configured in at
2552once because some of them can only be configured @dfn{native} (on hosts
2553with the same type as the target system).
2554
2555@menu
2556* Target Selection::
2557* Architecture Selection::
2558* Linker Emulation Selection::
2559@end menu
2560
2561@node Target Selection
2562@section Target Selection
2563
2564A @dfn{target} is an object file format. A given target may be
2565supported for multiple architectures (@pxref{Architecture Selection}).
2566A target selection may also have variations for different operating
2567systems or architectures.
2568
2569The command to list valid target values is @samp{objdump -i}
2570(the first column of output contains the relevant information).
2571
2572Some sample values are: @samp{a.out-hp300bsd}, @samp{ecoff-littlemips},
2573@samp{a.out-sunos-big}.
2574
2575You can also specify a target using a configuration triplet. This is
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2576the same sort of name that is passed to @file{configure} to specify a
2577target. When you use a configuration triplet as an argument, it must be
2578fully canonicalized. You can see the canonical version of a triplet by
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2579running the shell script @file{config.sub} which is included with the
2580sources.
2581
2582Some sample configuration triplets are: @samp{m68k-hp-bsd},
2583@samp{mips-dec-ultrix}, @samp{sparc-sun-sunos}.
2584
2585@subheading @code{objdump} Target
2586
2587Ways to specify:
2588
2589@enumerate
2590@item
2591command line option: @samp{-b} or @samp{--target}
2592
2593@item
2594environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2595
2596@item
2597deduced from the input file
2598@end enumerate
2599
2600@subheading @code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Input Target
2601
2602Ways to specify:
2603
2604@enumerate
2605@item
2606command line options: @samp{-I} or @samp{--input-target}, or @samp{-F} or @samp{--target}
2607
2608@item
2609environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2610
2611@item
2612deduced from the input file
2613@end enumerate
2614
2615@subheading @code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Output Target
2616
2617Ways to specify:
2618
2619@enumerate
2620@item
2621command line options: @samp{-O} or @samp{--output-target}, or @samp{-F} or @samp{--target}
2622
2623@item
2624the input target (see ``@code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Input Target'' above)
2625
2626@item
2627environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2628
2629@item
2630deduced from the input file
2631@end enumerate
2632
2633@subheading @code{nm}, @code{size}, and @code{strings} Target
2634
2635Ways to specify:
2636
2637@enumerate
2638@item
2639command line option: @samp{--target}
2640
2641@item
2642environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2643
2644@item
2645deduced from the input file
2646@end enumerate
2647
2648@subheading Linker Input Target
2649
2650Ways to specify:
2651
2652@enumerate
2653@item
2654command line option: @samp{-b} or @samp{--format}
2655(@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2656
2657@item
2658script command @code{TARGET}
2659(@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2660
2661@item
2662environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2663(@pxref{Environment,,Environment,ld.info,Using LD})
2664
2665@item
2666the default target of the selected linker emulation
2667(@pxref{Linker Emulation Selection})
2668@end enumerate
2669
2670@subheading Linker Output Target
2671
2672Ways to specify:
2673
2674@enumerate
2675@item
2676command line option: @samp{-oformat}
2677(@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2678
2679@item
2680script command @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT}
2681(@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2682
2683@item
2684the linker input target (see ``Linker Input Target'' above)
2685@end enumerate
2686
2687@node Architecture Selection
2688@section Architecture selection
2689
2690An @dfn{architecture} is a type of @sc{cpu} on which an object file is
2691to run. Its name may contain a colon, separating the name of the
2692processor family from the name of the particular @sc{cpu}.
2693
2694The command to list valid architecture values is @samp{objdump -i} (the
2695second column contains the relevant information).
2696
2697Sample values: @samp{m68k:68020}, @samp{mips:3000}, @samp{sparc}.
2698
2699@subheading @code{objdump} Architecture
2700
2701Ways to specify:
2702
2703@enumerate
2704@item
2705command line option: @samp{-m} or @samp{--architecture}
2706
2707@item
2708deduced from the input file
2709@end enumerate
2710
2711@subheading @code{objcopy}, @code{nm}, @code{size}, @code{strings} Architecture
2712
2713Ways to specify:
2714
2715@enumerate
2716@item
2717deduced from the input file
2718@end enumerate
2719
2720@subheading Linker Input Architecture
2721
2722Ways to specify:
2723
2724@enumerate
2725@item
2726deduced from the input file
2727@end enumerate
2728
2729@subheading Linker Output Architecture
2730
2731Ways to specify:
2732
2733@enumerate
2734@item
2735script command @code{OUTPUT_ARCH}
2736(@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2737
2738@item
2739the default architecture from the linker output target
2740(@pxref{Target Selection})
2741@end enumerate
2742
2743@node Linker Emulation Selection
2744@section Linker emulation selection
2745
2746A linker @dfn{emulation} is a ``personality'' of the linker, which gives
2747the linker default values for the other aspects of the target system.
2748In particular, it consists of
2749
2750@itemize @bullet
2751@item
2752the linker script
2753
2754@item
2755the target
2756
2757@item
2758several ``hook'' functions that are run at certain stages of the linking
2759process to do special things that some targets require
2760@end itemize
2761
2762The command to list valid linker emulation values is @samp{ld -V}.
2763
2764Sample values: @samp{hp300bsd}, @samp{mipslit}, @samp{sun4}.
2765
2766Ways to specify:
2767
2768@enumerate
2769@item
2770command line option: @samp{-m}
2771(@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2772
2773@item
2774environment variable @code{LDEMULATION}
2775
2776@item
2777compiled-in @code{DEFAULT_EMULATION} from @file{Makefile},
2778which comes from @code{EMUL} in @file{config/@var{target}.mt}
2779@end enumerate
2780
2781@node Reporting Bugs
2782@chapter Reporting Bugs
2783@cindex bugs
2784@cindex reporting bugs
2785
2786Your bug reports play an essential role in making the binary utilities
2787reliable.
2788
2789Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or
2790it may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is
2791to help the entire community by making the next version of the binary
2792utilities work better. Bug reports are your contribution to their
2793maintenance.
2794
2795In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
2796information that enables us to fix the bug.
2797
2798@menu
2799* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
2800* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
2801@end menu
2802
2803@node Bug Criteria
2804@section Have you found a bug?
2805@cindex bug criteria
2806
2807If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
2808
2809@itemize @bullet
2810@cindex fatal signal
2811@cindex crash
2812@item
2813If a binary utility gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is
2814a bug. Reliable utilities never crash.
2815
2816@cindex error on valid input
2817@item
2818If a binary utility produces an error message for valid input, that is a
2819bug.
2820
2821@item
2822If you are an experienced user of binary utilities, your suggestions for
2823improvement are welcome in any case.
2824@end itemize
2825
2826@node Bug Reporting
2827@section How to report bugs
2828@cindex bug reports
2829@cindex bugs, reporting
2830
2831A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu}
2832products. If you obtained the binary utilities from a support
2833organization, we recommend you contact that organization first.
2834
2835You can find contact information for many support companies and
2836individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
2837distribution.
2838
2839In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for the binary
2840utilities to @samp{bug-gnu-utils@@gnu.org}.
2841
2842The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
2843@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
2844fact or leave it out, state it!
2845
2846Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
2847problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
2848assume that the name of a file you use in an example does not matter.
2849Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is
2850a stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where
2851that pathname is stored in memory; perhaps, if the pathname were
2852different, the contents of that location would fool the utility into
2853doing the right thing despite the bug. Play it safe and give a
2854specific, complete example. That is the easiest thing for you to do,
2855and the most helpful.
2856
2857Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the bug if
2858it is new to us. Therefore, always write your bug reports on the assumption
2859that the bug has not been reported previously.
2860
2861Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
2862bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
2863@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
2864bugs properly.
2865
2866To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
2867
2868@itemize @bullet
2869@item
2870The version of the utility. Each utility announces it if you start it
2871with the @samp{--version} argument.
2872
2873Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
2874the bug in the current version of the binary utilities.
2875
2876@item
2877Any patches you may have applied to the source, including any patches
2878made to the @code{BFD} library.
2879
2880@item
2881The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
2882version number.
2883
2884@item
2885What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the utilities---e.g.
2886``@code{gcc-2.7}''.
2887
2888@item
2889The command arguments you gave the utility to observe the bug. To
2890guarantee you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy
2891of the Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
2892
2893If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
2894and then we might not encounter the bug.
2895
2896@item
2897A complete input file, or set of input files, that will reproduce the
2898bug. If the utility is reading an object file or files, then it is
2899generally most helpful to send the actual object files, uuencoded if
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2900necessary to get them through the mail system. Note that
2901@samp{bug-gnu-utils@@gnu.org} is a mailing list, so you should avoid
2902sending very large files to it. Making the files available for
2903anonymous FTP is OK.
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2904
2905If the source files were produced exclusively using @sc{gnu} programs
2906(e.g., @code{gcc}, @code{gas}, and/or the @sc{gnu} @code{ld}), then it
2907may be OK to send the source files rather than the object files. In
2908this case, be sure to say exactly what version of @code{gcc}, or
2909whatever, was used to produce the object files. Also say how
2910@code{gcc}, or whatever, was configured.
2911
2912@item
2913A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
2914incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
2915
2916Of course, if the bug is that the utility gets a fatal signal, then we
2917will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
2918not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
2919a chance to make a mistake.
2920
2921Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
f20a759a 2922say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as your
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2923copy of the utility is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
2924the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
2925crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
2926ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
2927us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
2928to draw any conclusion from our observations.
2929
2930@item
2931If you wish to suggest changes to the source, send us context diffs, as
2932generated by @code{diff} with the @samp{-u}, @samp{-c}, or @samp{-p}
2933option. Always send diffs from the old file to the new file. If you
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2934wish to discuss something in the @code{ld} source, refer to it by
2935context, not by line number.
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2936
2937The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
2938sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
2939@end itemize
2940
2941Here are some things that are not necessary:
2942
2943@itemize @bullet
2944@item
2945A description of the envelope of the bug.
2946
2947Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
2948which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
2949changes will not affect it.
2950
2951This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
2952will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
2953with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
2954We recommend that you save your time for something else.
2955
2956Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
2957of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
2958output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
2959less time, and so on.
2960
2961However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
2962report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
2963
2964@item
2965A patch for the bug.
2966
2967A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
2968the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
2969a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
2970to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
2971
2972Sometimes with programs as complicated as the binary utilities it is
2973very hard to construct an example that will make the program follow a
2974certain path through the code. If you do not send us the example, we
2975will not be able to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that
2976the bug is fixed.
2977
2978And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
2979patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
2980help us to understand.
2981
2982@item
2983A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
2984
2985Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
2986things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
2987@end itemize
2988
2989@node Index
2990@unnumbered Index
2991
2992@printindex cp
2993
2994@contents
2995@bye
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