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