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[binutils-gdb.git] / binutils / binutils.texinfo

\input texinfo
@setfilename binutils.info
@synindex ky cp
@c
@c This file documents the GNU binary utilities "ar", "ld", "objdump", "nm", 
@c "size", "strip", and "ranlib".
@c
@c Copyright (C) 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@c 
@c This text may be freely distributed under the terms of the GNU
@c General Public License.
@c
@c $Id$
@tex
@finalout
@c @smallbook
@end tex
@c @cropmarks
@setchapternewpage odd
@settitle GNU Binary Utilities
@titlepage
@title{The GNU Binary Utilities}
@sp 1
@subtitle January 1991
@author{Roland H. Pesch}
@author{Cygnus Support}
@page

@tex
\def\$#1${{#1}} % Kluge: collect RCS revision info without $...$
\xdef\manvers{\$Revision$} % For use in headers, footers too
{\parskip=0pt \hfill Cygnus Support\par \hfill \manvers\par \hfill
\TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par }
@end tex

@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
Copyright @copyright{} 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.

Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
are preserved on all copies.

Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
permission notice identical to this one.

Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
@end titlepage

@ifinfo
@node Top, ar, (dir), (dir)
This file documents the GNU binary utilities @samp{ar}, @samp{ld},
@samp{objdump}, @samp{nm}, @samp{size}, @samp{strip}, and
@samp{ranlib}.@refill 

Copyright @copyright{} 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.

Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
are preserved on all copies.

@ignore
Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
results, provided the printed document carries a copying permission
notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
(this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).

@end ignore

Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
permission notice identical to this one.

Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
@end ifinfo

@menu
* ar::                          ar
* ld::                          ld
* nm::                          nm
* objdump::                     objdump
* ranlib::                      ranlib
* size::                        size
* strip::                       strip

@end menu

@node ar, ld, Top, Top
@chapter ar

@smallexample
  ar [-]@var{Op}@var{Mod} [ @var{membername} ] @var{archive} @var{files}@dots{}
@end smallexample

The GNU @code{ar} program creates, modifies, and extracts
archives.  An @dfn{archive} is a single file holding a collection of
other files in a structure that makes it possible to retrieve
the original individual files (called @dfn{members} of the archive).

The original files' contents, mode (permissions), timestamp, owner, and
group are preserved in the archive, and may be reconstituted on
extraction.  

Only the first fifteen characters of a file name are kept in archives.
@c Note: with next (BFD) version, this will depend on obj format.

@code{ar} is considered a binary utility because archives of this sort
are most often used as @dfn{libraries} holding commonly needed
subroutines.

@code{ar} will create an index to the symbols defined in relocatable
object modules in the archive when you specify the option @samp{s}.
Once created, this index is updated in the archive whenever @code{ar}
makes a change to its contents.  An archive with such an index speeds up
linking to the library, and allows routines in the library to call each
other without regard to their placement in the archive.
@c This auto-update may happen-always only for WRS version; Gumby says, for
@c instance, that it doesn't happen with 'q' updates elsewhere.

You may use @samp{nm -s} or @samp{nm +print-symdefs} to list this index
table.  If an archive lacks the table, another form of @code{ar} called
@code{ranlib} can be used to add just the table.

@code{ar} insists on at least two arguments to execute: one
keyletter specifying the @emph{operation} (optionally accompanied by other
keyletters specifying @emph{modifiers}), and the archive name to act on.

Most operations can also accept further @var{files} arguments,
specifying particular files to operate on.

GNU @code{ar} allows you to mix the operation code and modifier flags in
any order, within the first command-line argument.

If you wish, you may precede the first command-line argument with a
dash.

The @var{Op} keyletter specifies what operation to execute; it may be
any of the following, but you must specify only one of them:

@table @code
@item d
@emph{Delete} modules from the archive.  Specify the names of modules to
be deleted as @var{files}; the archive is untouched if you
specify no files to delete.

If you wish to delete an archive's index, you can use this option to do
it; the internal name of the index (which you will need to specify in
@var{files} to delete it) is @samp{__.SYMDEF}.

If you specify the @samp{v} option flag, @code{ar} will list each module
as it is deleted.

@item m
Use this operation to @emph{move} members in an archive.

The ordering of members in an archive can make a difference in how
programs are linked using the library, if a symbol is defined in more
than one member.  

If no option flags are used with @code{m}, any members you name in the
@var{files} arguments are moved to the @emph{end} of the archive;
you can use the @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} options to move them to a
specified place instead.

@item p
@emph{Print} the specified members of the archive, to the standard
output file.  If the @samp{v} option flag is specified, show the member
name before copying its contents to standard output.

If you specify no @var{files}, all the files in the archive are printed,
save for the index (if any), which is listed only if you ask for it by
name: @samp{__.SYMDEF}.

@item q
@emph{Quick append}; add @var{files} to the end of @var{archive},
without checking for replacement.

The options @samp{a}, @samp{b}, and @samp{i} do @emph{not} affect this
operation; new members are always placed at the end of the archive.

The option @samp{v} makes @code{ar} list each file as it is appended.

@c per Gumby, versions other than WRS of this will *not* auto-update
@c SYMDEF index on 'q' updates.

@item r
Insert @var{files} into @var{archive} (with @emph{replacement}). This
operation differs from @samp{q} in that any previously existing members
are deleted if their names match those being added.

If one of the files named in @var{files} doesn't exist, @code{ar}
displays an error message, and leaves undisturbed any existing members
of the archive matching that name.

By default, new members are added at the end of the file; but you may
use one of the options @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} to request
placement relative to some existing member.

The option flag @samp{v} used with this operation elicits a line of
output for each file inserted, along with one of the letters @samp{a} or
@samp{r} to indicate whether the file was appended (no old member
deleted) or replaced.

@item t
Display a @emph{table} listing the contents of @var{archive}, or those
of the files listed in @var{files} that are present in the
archive.  Normally only the member name is shown; if you also want to
see the modes (permissions), timestamp, owner, group, and size, you can
request that by also specifying the @samp{v} option flag.

If you do not specify any @var{files}, all files in the archive
are listed; but the index to symbols from relocatable modules, called
@samp{__.SYMDEF}, is not listed unless you explicitly request it by
name.

If there is more than one file with the same name (say, @samp{fie}) in
an archive (say @samp{b.a}), @samp{ar t b.a fie} will list only the
first instance; to see them all, you must ask for a complete
listing---in our example, @samp{ar t b.a}.
@c WRS only; per Gumby, this is implementation-dependent, and in a more
@c recent case in fact works the other way.

@item x
@emph{Extract} a member from the archive.  The @samp{v} option flag
requests that @code{ar} list each name as it extracts it.

If you do not specify any @var{files}, all files in the archive
are extracted; but the index to symbols from relocatable modules, called
@samp{__.SYMDEF}, is not extracted unless you explicitly request it by
name.

@end table

A number of modifiers may immediately follow the @var{Op} keyletter, to
specify variations on an operation's behavior:

@table @code
@item a
Add new files @emph{after} an existing member of the
archive.  If you use the modifier @code{a}, the name of an existing archive
member must be present as the @var{membername} argument, before the
@var{archive} specification.

@item b
Add new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
archive.  If you use the modifier @code{b}, the name of an existing archive
member must be present as the @var{membername} argument, before the
@var{archive} specification.  (same as @samp{i}).

@item c
@emph{Create} the archive.  The specified @var{archive} is always
created if it didn't exist, when you request an update.  But a warning is
issued unless you specify in advance that you expect to create it, by
using this option flag.

@item i
Insert new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
archive.  If you use the modifier @code{i}, the name of an existing archive
member must be present as the @var{membername} argument, before the
@var{archive} specification.  (same as @samp{b}).

@item l
This option flag is recognized but not used; it is permitted for
compatibility with other forms of @code{ar}.
@c ???---pesch@@cygnus.com, 25jan91

@item o
Preserve the @emph{original} dates of members when extracting them.  If
you do not specify this option flag, files extracted from the archive
will be stamped with the time of extraction.

@item s
Write an object-file index into the archive, or update an existing one,
even if no other change is made to the archive.  You may use this option
flag either with any operation, or alone.  Running @samp{ar s} on an
archive is equivalent to running @samp{ranlib} on it.

@item u
Normally, @code{ar r}@dots{} or @code{ar q}@dots{} insert all files
listed into the archive.  If you would like to insert @emph{only} those
of the files you list that are newer than existing members of the same
names, use this option.  The option-flag combination @samp{qu} is
equivalent to @samp{ru}; checking the timestamps loses any speed
advantage, so @code{ar} treats both commands as replace operations with
the @samp{u} option appended.

@c u actually turns *anything* into a replace.  I claim this is a bug;
@c 'du' and 'tu' for example should either be rejected or equivalent to
@c plain 'd' and 't'.  ---pesch@@cygnus.com, 25jan91

@item v
This option requests the @emph{verbose} version of an operations.  Many
operations display additional information, such as filenames processed,
when the option @samp{v} is appended.

@end table

@node ld, nm, ar, Top
@chapter ld
The GNU linker @code{ld} is now described in a separate manual.
@xref{Top, , Overview, , GLD: the GNU linker}.

@node nm, objdump, ld, Top
@chapter nm

@smallexample
  nm [ -a | +debug-syms ]  [ -g | +extern-only ]
      [ -n | +numeric-sort ]  [ -o | +print-file-name ]  
      [ -p | +no-sort ]  [ -r | +reverse-sort ]  
      [ -s | +print-symdefs ]  [ -u | +undefined-only ]  
      [ @var{objfiles}@dots{} ]
@end smallexample

GNU @code{nm} will list the symbols from object files @var{objfiles}.
Any command-line options must precede all object files; no option takes
an argument.

The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
equivalent.

@table @code
@item @var{objfiles}@dots{}
Object files whose symbols are to be listed.  If no object files are
listed as arguments, @code{nm} assumes @samp{a.out}.

@item -a | +debug-syms 
Display debugger-only symbols; normally these are not listed.

@item -g | +extern-only 
Display only external symbols.

@item -n | +numeric-sort 
Sort symbols numerically by their addresses, not alphabetically by their
names. 

@item -o | +print-file-name 
Precede each symbol by the name of the input file where it was found,
rather than identifying the input file once only before all of its
symbols. 

@item -p | +no-sort 
Don't bother to sort the symbols in any order; just print them in the
order encountered.

@item -r | +reverse-sort 
Reverse the sense of the sort (whether numeric or alphabetic); let the
last come first.

@item -s | +print-symdefs 
When listing symbols from archives, list the index: a mapping (stored in
the archive by @code{ar} or @code{ranlib} of what modules contain
definitions for what names.

@item -u | +undefined-only 
Display only undefined symbols (those external to each object file).

@end table

@node objdump, ranlib, nm, Top
@chapter objdump

@smallexample
  objdump [ -h | +header ]  [ -n | +nstuff ]  [ -r | +reloc ]  
           [ -t | +syms ]   @var{objfiles}@dots{}
@end smallexample

@code{objdump} displays information about one or more object files.
The options control what particular information to display.  This
information is mostly useful to programmers who are working on the
compilation tools, as opposed to programmers who just want their
program to compile and work.

The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
equivalent.

@table @code
@item @var{objfiles}@dots{}
The object files to be examined.

@item -h | +header
Header.  Print summary information from the header of the object file.

@item -n | +nstuff
@samp{N_} symbols.  Print the values of various macros from @file{a.out.h}
as applied to the object file; e.g. @code{N_TXTOFF}.

@item -r | +reloc
Relocation.  Print the relocation entries of the file.

@item -t | +syms
Symbol Table.  Print the symbol table entries of the file.
This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm} program.

@end table

@node ranlib, size, objdump, Top
@chapter ranlib

@smallexample
  ranlib  [ -t | +touch ]  [ -v | +verbose ] @var{archive}
@end smallexample

@code{ranlib} generates the an index to the contents of an archive, and
stores it in the archive.  The index lists each symbol defined by a
member of an archive that is a relocatable object file.  

You may use @code{nm -s} or @code{nm +print-symdefs} to list this table.
The index is internally stored in the archive under the name
@samp{__.SYMDEF}.

An archive with such an index speeds up linking to the library, and
allows routines in the library to call each other without regard to
their placement in the archive.

The GNU @code{ranlib} program is another form of GNU @code{ar}.

@code{ranlib}'s options make it report on what it's doing and fake an
update of a particular archive's index.

Any command-line options must precede the archive name.

The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
equivalent.

@table @code

@item -t | +touch 
You can use the ``touch'' option to fake an update of the index
table in archives; @code{ranlib} will first set the current date for the
index object module in the archive (to make it appear to have changed).

@item -v | +verbose 
Use this option if you'd like informational messages about what
@code{ranlib} is up to, while it loops through the specified archives.

@end table

@node size, strip, ranlib, Top
@chapter size

@smallexample
  size @var{objfiles}@dots{}
@end smallexample

The GNU @code{size} utility lists the segment (@code{text}, @code{data},
@code{bss} sizes ---and the total size--- for the object files
@var{objfiles} in its argument list.  For archives, one line of output
is generated for each module.

@code{size} has no command-line options.

If more than one object module is listed, @code{size} labels each line
of output with the module's name:
@smallexample
% size a.out libX11.a
text    data    bss     dec     hex
49152   49152   0       98304   18000   a.out
1256    16      0       1272    4f8     libX11.a(Context.o)
176     0       0       176     b0      libX11.a(Depths.o)
1360    56      0       1416    588     libX11.a(ParseCmd.o)
904     24      4096    5024    13a0    libX11.a(Quarks.o)
216     0       0       216     d8      libX11.a(XAllCells.o)
        .
        .
        .

@end smallexample
[sample output truncated]

@node strip,  , size, Top
@chapter strip

@smallexample
  strip [ -s | +strip-all ]  [ -S | +strip-debug ]
         [ -x | +discard-all ]  [ -X | +discard-locals ]
         @var{objfiles}@dots{}
@end smallexample

GNU @code{strip} will discard all symbols from object files
@var{objfiles}, if no options are specified; or only certain symbols,
depending on its command-line options.

@code{strip} will not execute unless at least one object file is listed.

@emph{WARNING:} @code{strip} modifies the files named in its argument,
rather than writing modified copies under different names.

The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
equivalent.

@table @code
@item -s | +strip-all 
This is the default case: strip all symbol entries from @var{objfiles}.

@item -S | +strip-debug 
Discard only debugging symbol information from @var{objfiles}.

@item -x | +discard-all 
Discard all symbols local to each file in @var{objfiles}.
@emph{WARNING:} Note that @code{+discard-all} discards only @emph{local}
symbols, in spite of its name.

@item -X | +discard-locals 
Discard local symbols starting with @samp{L} from each file in
@var{objfiles}.  (Some compilers produce internally-used symbols that
begin with @samp{L}.)
@end table


@contents
@bye