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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, 99, 2000 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, 99, 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
58 @c
59 @c This text may be freely distributed under the terms of the GNU
60 @c General Public License.
61 @c
62
63 @setchapternewpage odd
64 @settitle @sc{gnu} Binary Utilities
65 @titlepage
66 @finalout
67 @title The @sc{gnu} Binary Utilities
68 @subtitle Version @value{VERSION}
69 @sp 1
70 @subtitle May 1993
71 @author Roland H. Pesch
72 @author Jeffrey M. Osier
73 @author Cygnus Support
74 @page
75
76 @tex
77 {\parskip=0pt \hfill Cygnus Support\par \hfill
78 \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par }
79 @end tex
80
81 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
82 Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 1998 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
83
84 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
85 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
86 are preserved on all copies.
87
88 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
89 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that
90 the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
91 permission notice identical to this one.
92
93 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
94 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
95 @end titlepage
96
97 @node Top
98 @top Introduction
99
100 @cindex version
101 This brief manual contains preliminary documentation for the @sc{gnu} binary
102 utilities (collectively version @value{VERSION}):
103
104 @iftex
105 @table @code
106 @item ar
107 Create, modify, and extract from archives
108
109 @item nm
110 List symbols from object files
111
112 @item objcopy
113 Copy and translate object files
114
115 @item objdump
116 Display information from object files
117
118 @item ranlib
119 Generate index to archive contents
120
121 @item readelf
122 Display the contents of ELF format files.
123
124 @item size
125 List file section sizes and total size
126
127 @item strings
128 List printable strings from files
129
130 @item strip
131 Discard symbols
132
133 @item c++filt
134 Demangle encoded C++ symbols (on MS-DOS, this program is named
135 @code{cxxfilt})
136
137 @item addr2line
138 Convert addresses into file names and line numbers
139
140 @item nlmconv
141 Convert object code into a Netware Loadable Module
142
143 @item windres
144 Manipulate Windows resources
145
146 @item dlltool
147 Create the files needed to build and use Dynamic Link Libraries
148 @end table
149 @end iftex
150
151 @menu
152 * ar:: Create, modify, and extract from archives
153 * nm:: List symbols from object files
154 * objcopy:: Copy and translate object files
155 * objdump:: Display information from object files
156 * ranlib:: Generate index to archive contents
157 * readelf:: Display the contents of ELF format files.
158 * size:: List section sizes and total size
159 * strings:: List printable strings from files
160 * strip:: Discard symbols
161 * c++filt:: Filter to demangle encoded C++ symbols
162 * cxxfilt: c++filt. MS-DOS name for c++filt
163 * addr2line:: Convert addresses to file and line
164 * nlmconv:: Converts object code into an NLM
165 * windres:: Manipulate Windows resources
166 * dlltool:: Create files needed to build and use DLLs
167 * Selecting The Target System:: How these utilities determine the target.
168 * Reporting Bugs:: Reporting Bugs
169 * Index:: Index
170 @end menu
171
172 @node ar
173 @chapter ar
174
175 @kindex ar
176 @cindex archives
177 @cindex collections of files
178 @smallexample
179 ar [-]@var{p}[@var{mod} [@var{relpos}] [@var{count}]] @var{archive} [@var{member}@dots{}]
180 ar -M [ <mri-script ]
181 @end smallexample
182
183 The @sc{gnu} @code{ar} program creates, modifies, and extracts from
184 archives. An @dfn{archive} is a single file holding a collection of
185 other files in a structure that makes it possible to retrieve
186 the original individual files (called @dfn{members} of the archive).
187
188 The original files' contents, mode (permissions), timestamp, owner, and
189 group are preserved in the archive, and can be restored on
190 extraction.
191
192 @cindex name length
193 @sc{gnu} @code{ar} can maintain archives whose members have names of any
194 length; however, depending on how @code{ar} is configured on your
195 system, a limit on member-name length may be imposed for compatibility
196 with archive formats maintained with other tools. If it exists, the
197 limit is often 15 characters (typical of formats related to a.out) or 16
198 characters (typical of formats related to coff).
199
200 @cindex libraries
201 @code{ar} is considered a binary utility because archives of this sort
202 are most often used as @dfn{libraries} holding commonly needed
203 subroutines.
204
205 @cindex symbol index
206 @code{ar} creates an index to the symbols defined in relocatable
207 object modules in the archive when you specify the modifier @samp{s}.
208 Once created, this index is updated in the archive whenever @code{ar}
209 makes a change to its contents (save for the @samp{q} update operation).
210 An archive with such an index speeds up linking to the library, and
211 allows routines in the library to call each other without regard to
212 their placement in the archive.
213
214 You may use @samp{nm -s} or @samp{nm --print-armap} to list this index
215 table. If an archive lacks the table, another form of @code{ar} called
216 @code{ranlib} can be used to add just the table.
217
218 @cindex compatibility, @code{ar}
219 @cindex @code{ar} compatibility
220 @sc{gnu} @code{ar} is designed to be compatible with two different
221 facilities. You can control its activity using command-line options,
222 like the different varieties of @code{ar} on Unix systems; or, if you
223 specify the single command-line option @samp{-M}, you can control it
224 with a script supplied via standard input, like the MRI ``librarian''
225 program.
226
227 @menu
228 * ar cmdline:: Controlling @code{ar} on the command line
229 * ar scripts:: Controlling @code{ar} with a script
230 @end menu
231
232 @page
233 @node ar cmdline
234 @section Controlling @code{ar} on the command line
235
236 @smallexample
237 ar [-X32_64] [-]@var{p}[@var{mod} [@var{relpos}] [@var{count}]] @var{archive} [@var{member}@dots{}]
238 @end smallexample
239
240 @cindex Unix compatibility, @code{ar}
241 When you use @code{ar} in the Unix style, @code{ar} insists on at least two
242 arguments to execute: one keyletter specifying the @emph{operation}
243 (optionally accompanied by other keyletters specifying
244 @emph{modifiers}), and the archive name to act on.
245
246 Most operations can also accept further @var{member} arguments,
247 specifying particular files to operate on.
248
249 @sc{gnu} @code{ar} allows you to mix the operation code @var{p} and modifier
250 flags @var{mod} in any order, within the first command-line argument.
251
252 If you wish, you may begin the first command-line argument with a
253 dash.
254
255 @cindex operations on archive
256 The @var{p} keyletter specifies what operation to execute; it may be
257 any of the following, but you must specify only one of them:
258
259 @table @code
260 @item d
261 @cindex deleting from archive
262 @emph{Delete} modules from the archive. Specify the names of modules to
263 be deleted as @var{member}@dots{}; the archive is untouched if you
264 specify no files to delete.
265
266 If you specify the @samp{v} modifier, @code{ar} lists each module
267 as it is deleted.
268
269 @item m
270 @cindex moving in archive
271 Use this operation to @emph{move} members in an archive.
272
273 The ordering of members in an archive can make a difference in how
274 programs are linked using the library, if a symbol is defined in more
275 than one member.
276
277 If no modifiers are used with @code{m}, any members you name in the
278 @var{member} arguments are moved to the @emph{end} of the archive;
279 you can use the @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} modifiers to move them to a
280 specified place instead.
281
282 @item p
283 @cindex printing from archive
284 @emph{Print} the specified members of the archive, to the standard
285 output file. If the @samp{v} modifier is specified, show the member
286 name before copying its contents to standard output.
287
288 If you specify no @var{member} arguments, all the files in the archive are
289 printed.
290
291 @item q
292 @cindex quick append to archive
293 @emph{Quick append}; Historically, add the files @var{member}@dots{} to the end of
294 @var{archive}, without checking for replacement.
295
296 The modifiers @samp{a}, @samp{b}, and @samp{i} do @emph{not} affect this
297 operation; new members are always placed at the end of the archive.
298
299 The modifier @samp{v} makes @code{ar} list each file as it is appended.
300
301 Since the point of this operation is speed, the archive's symbol table
302 index is not updated, even if it already existed; you can use @samp{ar s} or
303 @code{ranlib} explicitly to update the symbol table index.
304
305 However, too many different systems assume quick append rebuilds the
306 index, so GNU ar implements @code{q} as a synonym for @code{r}.
307
308 @item r
309 @cindex replacement in archive
310 Insert the files @var{member}@dots{} into @var{archive} (with
311 @emph{replacement}). This operation differs from @samp{q} in that any
312 previously existing members are deleted if their names match those being
313 added.
314
315 If one of the files named in @var{member}@dots{} does not exist, @code{ar}
316 displays an error message, and leaves undisturbed any existing members
317 of the archive matching that name.
318
319 By default, new members are added at the end of the file; but you may
320 use one of the modifiers @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} to request
321 placement relative to some existing member.
322
323 The modifier @samp{v} used with this operation elicits a line of
324 output for each file inserted, along with one of the letters @samp{a} or
325 @samp{r} to indicate whether the file was appended (no old member
326 deleted) or replaced.
327
328 @item t
329 @cindex contents of archive
330 Display a @emph{table} listing the contents of @var{archive}, or those
331 of the files listed in @var{member}@dots{} that are present in the
332 archive. Normally only the member name is shown; if you also want to
333 see the modes (permissions), timestamp, owner, group, and size, you can
334 request that by also specifying the @samp{v} modifier.
335
336 If you do not specify a @var{member}, all files in the archive
337 are listed.
338
339 @cindex repeated names in archive
340 @cindex name duplication in archive
341 If there is more than one file with the same name (say, @samp{fie}) in
342 an archive (say @samp{b.a}), @samp{ar t b.a fie} lists only the
343 first instance; to see them all, you must ask for a complete
344 listing---in our example, @samp{ar t b.a}.
345 @c WRS only; per Gumby, this is implementation-dependent, and in a more
346 @c recent case in fact works the other way.
347
348 @item x
349 @cindex extract from archive
350 @emph{Extract} members (named @var{member}) from the archive. You can
351 use the @samp{v} modifier with this operation, to request that
352 @code{ar} list each name as it extracts it.
353
354 If you do not specify a @var{member}, all files in the archive
355 are extracted.
356
357 @end table
358
359 A number of modifiers (@var{mod}) may immediately follow the @var{p}
360 keyletter, to specify variations on an operation's behavior:
361
362 @table @code
363 @item a
364 @cindex relative placement in archive
365 Add new files @emph{after} an existing member of the
366 archive. If you use the modifier @samp{a}, the name of an existing archive
367 member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
368 @var{archive} specification.
369
370 @item b
371 Add new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
372 archive. If you use the modifier @samp{b}, the name of an existing archive
373 member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
374 @var{archive} specification. (same as @samp{i}).
375
376 @item c
377 @cindex creating archives
378 @emph{Create} the archive. The specified @var{archive} is always
379 created if it did not exist, when you request an update. But a warning is
380 issued unless you specify in advance that you expect to create it, by
381 using this modifier.
382
383 @item f
384 Truncate names in the archive. @sc{gnu} @code{ar} will normally permit file
385 names of any length. This will cause it to create archives which are
386 not compatible with the native @code{ar} program on some systems. If
387 this is a concern, the @samp{f} modifier may be used to truncate file
388 names when putting them in the archive.
389
390 @item i
391 Insert new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
392 archive. If you use the modifier @samp{i}, the name of an existing archive
393 member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
394 @var{archive} specification. (same as @samp{b}).
395
396 @item l
397 This modifier is accepted but not used.
398 @c whaffor ar l modifier??? presumably compat; with
399 @c what???---doc@@cygnus.com, 25jan91
400
401 @item N
402 Uses the @var{count} parameter. This is used if there are multiple
403 entries in the archive with the same name. Extract or delete instance
404 @var{count} of the given name from the archive.
405
406 @item o
407 @cindex dates in archive
408 Preserve the @emph{original} dates of members when extracting them. If
409 you do not specify this modifier, files extracted from the archive
410 are stamped with the time of extraction.
411
412 @item P
413 Use the full path name when matching names in the archive. @sc{gnu}
414 @code{ar} can not create an archive with a full path name (such archives
415 are not POSIX complaint), but other archive creators can. This option
416 will cause @sc{gnu} @code{ar} to match file names using a complete path
417 name, which can be convenient when extracting a single file from an
418 archive created by another tool.
419
420 @item s
421 @cindex writing archive index
422 Write an object-file index into the archive, or update an existing one,
423 even if no other change is made to the archive. You may use this modifier
424 flag either with any operation, or alone. Running @samp{ar s} on an
425 archive is equivalent to running @samp{ranlib} on it.
426
427 @item S
428 @cindex not writing archive index
429 Do not generate an archive symbol table. This can speed up building a
430 large library in several steps. The resulting archive can not be used
431 with the linker. In order to build a symbol table, you must omit the
432 @samp{S} modifier on the last execution of @samp{ar}, or you must run
433 @samp{ranlib} on the archive.
434
435 @item u
436 @cindex updating an archive
437 Normally, @samp{ar r}@dots{} inserts all files
438 listed into the archive. If you would like to insert @emph{only} those
439 of the files you list that are newer than existing members of the same
440 names, use this modifier. The @samp{u} modifier is allowed only for the
441 operation @samp{r} (replace). In particular, the combination @samp{qu} is
442 not allowed, since checking the timestamps would lose any speed
443 advantage from the operation @samp{q}.
444
445 @item v
446 This modifier requests the @emph{verbose} version of an operation. Many
447 operations display additional information, such as filenames processed,
448 when the modifier @samp{v} is appended.
449
450 @item V
451 This modifier shows the version number of @code{ar}.
452 @end table
453
454 @code{ar} ignores an initial option spelt @code{-X32_64}, for
455 compatibility with AIX. The behaviour produced by this option is the
456 default for GNU @code{ar}. @code{ar} does not support any of the other
457 @code{-X} options; in particular, it does not support @code{-X32}
458 which is the default for AIX @code{ar}.
459
460 @node ar scripts
461 @section Controlling @code{ar} with a script
462
463 @smallexample
464 ar -M [ <@var{script} ]
465 @end smallexample
466
467 @cindex MRI compatibility, @code{ar}
468 @cindex scripts, @code{ar}
469 If you use the single command-line option @samp{-M} with @code{ar}, you
470 can control its operation with a rudimentary command language. This
471 form of @code{ar} operates interactively if standard input is coming
472 directly from a terminal. During interactive use, @code{ar} prompts for
473 input (the prompt is @samp{AR >}), and continues executing even after
474 errors. If you redirect standard input to a script file, no prompts are
475 issued, and @code{ar} abandons execution (with a nonzero exit code)
476 on any error.
477
478 The @code{ar} command language is @emph{not} designed to be equivalent
479 to the command-line options; in fact, it provides somewhat less control
480 over archives. The only purpose of the command language is to ease the
481 transition to @sc{gnu} @code{ar} for developers who already have scripts
482 written for the MRI ``librarian'' program.
483
484 The syntax for the @code{ar} command language is straightforward:
485 @itemize @bullet
486 @item
487 commands are recognized in upper or lower case; for example, @code{LIST}
488 is the same as @code{list}. In the following descriptions, commands are
489 shown in upper case for clarity.
490
491 @item
492 a single command may appear on each line; it is the first word on the
493 line.
494
495 @item
496 empty lines are allowed, and have no effect.
497
498 @item
499 comments are allowed; text after either of the characters @samp{*}
500 or @samp{;} is ignored.
501
502 @item
503 Whenever you use a list of names as part of the argument to an @code{ar}
504 command, you can separate the individual names with either commas or
505 blanks. Commas are shown in the explanations below, for clarity.
506
507 @item
508 @samp{+} is used as a line continuation character; if @samp{+} appears
509 at the end of a line, the text on the following line is considered part
510 of the current command.
511 @end itemize
512
513 Here are the commands you can use in @code{ar} scripts, or when using
514 @code{ar} interactively. Three of them have special significance:
515
516 @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE} specify a @dfn{current archive}, which is
517 a temporary file required for most of the other commands.
518
519 @code{SAVE} commits the changes so far specified by the script. Prior
520 to @code{SAVE}, commands affect only the temporary copy of the current
521 archive.
522
523 @table @code
524 @item ADDLIB @var{archive}
525 @itemx ADDLIB @var{archive} (@var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module})
526 Add all the contents of @var{archive} (or, if specified, each named
527 @var{module} from @var{archive}) to the current archive.
528
529 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
530
531 @item ADDMOD @var{member}, @var{member}, @dots{} @var{member}
532 @c FIXME! w/Replacement?? If so, like "ar r @var{archive} @var{names}"
533 @c else like "ar q..."
534 Add each named @var{member} as a module in the current archive.
535
536 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
537
538 @item CLEAR
539 Discard the contents of the current archive, canceling the effect of
540 any operations since the last @code{SAVE}. May be executed (with no
541 effect) even if no current archive is specified.
542
543 @item CREATE @var{archive}
544 Creates an archive, and makes it the current archive (required for many
545 other commands). The new archive is created with a temporary name; it
546 is not actually saved as @var{archive} until you use @code{SAVE}.
547 You can overwrite existing archives; similarly, the contents of any
548 existing file named @var{archive} will not be destroyed until @code{SAVE}.
549
550 @item DELETE @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
551 Delete each listed @var{module} from the current archive; equivalent to
552 @samp{ar -d @var{archive} @var{module} @dots{} @var{module}}.
553
554 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
555
556 @item DIRECTORY @var{archive} (@var{module}, @dots{} @var{module})
557 @itemx DIRECTORY @var{archive} (@var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}) @var{outputfile}
558 List each named @var{module} present in @var{archive}. The separate
559 command @code{VERBOSE} specifies the form of the output: when verbose
560 output is off, output is like that of @samp{ar -t @var{archive}
561 @var{module}@dots{}}. When verbose output is on, the listing is like
562 @samp{ar -tv @var{archive} @var{module}@dots{}}.
563
564 Output normally goes to the standard output stream; however, if you
565 specify @var{outputfile} as a final argument, @code{ar} directs the
566 output to that file.
567
568 @item END
569 Exit from @code{ar}, with a @code{0} exit code to indicate successful
570 completion. This command does not save the output file; if you have
571 changed the current archive since the last @code{SAVE} command, those
572 changes are lost.
573
574 @item EXTRACT @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
575 Extract each named @var{module} from the current archive, writing them
576 into the current directory as separate files. Equivalent to @samp{ar -x
577 @var{archive} @var{module}@dots{}}.
578
579 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
580
581 @ignore
582 @c FIXME Tokens but no commands???
583 @item FULLDIR
584
585 @item HELP
586 @end ignore
587
588 @item LIST
589 Display full contents of the current archive, in ``verbose'' style
590 regardless of the state of @code{VERBOSE}. The effect is like @samp{ar
591 tv @var{archive}}. (This single command is a @sc{gnu} @code{ar}
592 enhancement, rather than present for MRI compatibility.)
593
594 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
595
596 @item OPEN @var{archive}
597 Opens an existing archive for use as the current archive (required for
598 many other commands). Any changes as the result of subsequent commands
599 will not actually affect @var{archive} until you next use @code{SAVE}.
600
601 @item REPLACE @var{module}, @var{module}, @dots{} @var{module}
602 In the current archive, replace each existing @var{module} (named in
603 the @code{REPLACE} arguments) from files in the current working directory.
604 To execute this command without errors, both the file, and the module in
605 the current archive, must exist.
606
607 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
608
609 @item VERBOSE
610 Toggle an internal flag governing the output from @code{DIRECTORY}.
611 When the flag is on, @code{DIRECTORY} output matches output from
612 @samp{ar -tv }@dots{}.
613
614 @item SAVE
615 Commit your changes to the current archive, and actually save it as a
616 file with the name specified in the last @code{CREATE} or @code{OPEN}
617 command.
618
619 Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
620
621 @end table
622
623 @iftex
624 @node ld
625 @chapter ld
626 @cindex linker
627 @kindex ld
628 The @sc{gnu} linker @code{ld} is now described in a separate manual.
629 @xref{Top,, Overview,, Using LD: the @sc{gnu} linker}.
630 @end iftex
631
632 @node nm
633 @chapter nm
634 @cindex symbols
635 @kindex nm
636
637 @smallexample
638 nm [ -a | --debug-syms ] [ -g | --extern-only ]
639 [ -B ] [ -C | --demangle[=@var{style}] ] [ -D | --dynamic ]
640 [ -s | --print-armap ] [ -A | -o | --print-file-name ]
641 [ -n | -v | --numeric-sort ] [ -p | --no-sort ]
642 [ -r | --reverse-sort ] [ --size-sort ] [ -u | --undefined-only ]
643 [ -t @var{radix} | --radix=@var{radix} ] [ -P | --portability ]
644 [ --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ -f @var{format} | --format=@var{format} ]
645 [ --defined-only ] [-l | --line-numbers ] [ --no-demangle ]
646 [ -V | --version ] [ -X 32_64 ] [ --help ] [ @var{objfile}@dots{} ]
647 @end smallexample
648
649 @sc{gnu} @code{nm} lists the symbols from object files @var{objfile}@dots{}.
650 If no object files are listed as arguments, @code{nm} assumes the file
651 @file{a.out}.
652
653 For each symbol, @code{nm} shows:
654
655 @itemize @bullet
656 @item
657 The symbol value, in the radix selected by options (see below), or
658 hexadecimal by default.
659
660 @item
661 The symbol type. At least the following types are used; others are, as
662 well, depending on the object file format. If lowercase, the symbol is
663 local; if uppercase, the symbol is global (external).
664
665 @c Some more detail on exactly what these symbol types are used for
666 @c would be nice.
667 @table @code
668 @item A
669 The symbol's value is absolute, and will not be changed by further
670 linking.
671
672 @item B
673 The symbol is in the uninitialized data section (known as BSS).
674
675 @item C
676 The symbol is common. Common symbols are uninitialized data. When
677 linking, multiple common symbols may appear with the same name. If the
678 symbol is defined anywhere, the common symbols are treated as undefined
679 references. For more details on common symbols, see the discussion of
680 --warn-common in @ref{Options,,Linker options,ld.info,The GNU linker}.
681
682 @item D
683 The symbol is in the initialized data section.
684
685 @item G
686 The symbol is in an initialized data section for small objects. Some
687 object file formats permit more efficient access to small data objects,
688 such as a global int variable as opposed to a large global array.
689
690 @item I
691 The symbol is an indirect reference to another symbol. This is a GNU
692 extension to the a.out object file format which is rarely used.
693
694 @item N
695 The symbol is a debugging symbol.
696
697 @item R
698 The symbol is in a read only data section.
699
700 @item S
701 The symbol is in an uninitialized data section for small objects.
702
703 @item T
704 The symbol is in the text (code) section.
705
706 @item U
707 The symbol is undefined.
708
709 @item V
710 The symbol is a weak object. When a weak defined symbol is linked with
711 a normal defined symbol, the normal defined symbol is used with no error.
712 When a weak undefined symbol is linked and the symbol is not defined,
713 the value of the weak symbol becomes zero with no error.
714
715 @item W
716 The symbol is a weak symbol that has not been specifically tagged as a
717 weak object symbol. When a weak defined symbol is linked with a normal
718 defined symbol, the normal defined symbol is used with no error.
719 When a weak undefined symbol is linked and the symbol is not defined,
720 the value of the weak symbol becomes zero with no error.
721
722 @item -
723 The symbol is a stabs symbol in an a.out object file. In this case, the
724 next values printed are the stabs other field, the stabs desc field, and
725 the stab type. Stabs symbols are used to hold debugging information;
726 for more information, see @ref{Top,Stabs,Stabs Overview,stabs.info, The
727 ``stabs'' debug format}.
728
729 @item ?
730 The symbol type is unknown, or object file format specific.
731 @end table
732
733 @item
734 The symbol name.
735 @end itemize
736
737 The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
738 equivalent.
739
740 @table @code
741 @item -A
742 @itemx -o
743 @itemx --print-file-name
744 @cindex input file name
745 @cindex file name
746 @cindex source file name
747 Precede each symbol by the name of the input file (or archive member)
748 in which it was found, rather than identifying the input file once only,
749 before all of its symbols.
750
751 @item -a
752 @itemx --debug-syms
753 @cindex debugging symbols
754 Display all symbols, even debugger-only symbols; normally these are not
755 listed.
756
757 @item -B
758 @cindex @code{nm} format
759 @cindex @code{nm} compatibility
760 The same as @samp{--format=bsd} (for compatibility with the MIPS @code{nm}).
761
762 @item -C
763 @itemx --demangle[=@var{style}]
764 @cindex demangling in nm
765 Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
766 Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
767 makes C++ function names readable. Different compilers have different
768 mangling styles. The optional demangling style argument can be used to
769 choose an appropriate demangling style for your compiler. @xref{c++filt},
770 for more information on demangling.
771
772 @item --no-demangle
773 Do not demangle low-level symbol names. This is the default.
774
775 @item -D
776 @itemx --dynamic
777 @cindex dynamic symbols
778 Display the dynamic symbols rather than the normal symbols. This is
779 only meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
780 libraries.
781
782 @item -f @var{format}
783 @itemx --format=@var{format}
784 @cindex @code{nm} format
785 @cindex @code{nm} compatibility
786 Use the output format @var{format}, which can be @code{bsd},
787 @code{sysv}, or @code{posix}. The default is @code{bsd}.
788 Only the first character of @var{format} is significant; it can be
789 either upper or lower case.
790
791 @item -g
792 @itemx --extern-only
793 @cindex external symbols
794 Display only external symbols.
795
796 @item -l
797 @itemx --line-numbers
798 @cindex symbol line numbers
799 For each symbol, use debugging information to try to find a filename and
800 line number. For a defined symbol, look for the line number of the
801 address of the symbol. For an undefined symbol, look for the line
802 number of a relocation entry which refers to the symbol. If line number
803 information can be found, print it after the other symbol information.
804
805 @item -n
806 @itemx -v
807 @itemx --numeric-sort
808 Sort symbols numerically by their addresses, rather than alphabetically
809 by their names.
810
811 @item -p
812 @itemx --no-sort
813 @cindex sorting symbols
814 Do not bother to sort the symbols in any order; print them in the order
815 encountered.
816
817 @item -P
818 @itemx --portability
819 Use the POSIX.2 standard output format instead of the default format.
820 Equivalent to @samp{-f posix}.
821
822 @item -s
823 @itemx --print-armap
824 @cindex symbol index, listing
825 When listing symbols from archive members, include the index: a mapping
826 (stored in the archive by @code{ar} or @code{ranlib}) of which modules
827 contain definitions for which names.
828
829 @item -r
830 @itemx --reverse-sort
831 Reverse the order of the sort (whether numeric or alphabetic); let the
832 last come first.
833
834 @item --size-sort
835 Sort symbols by size. The size is computed as the difference between
836 the value of the symbol and the value of the symbol with the next higher
837 value. The size of the symbol is printed, rather than the value.
838
839 @item -t @var{radix}
840 @itemx --radix=@var{radix}
841 Use @var{radix} as the radix for printing the symbol values. It must be
842 @samp{d} for decimal, @samp{o} for octal, or @samp{x} for hexadecimal.
843
844 @item --target=@var{bfdname}
845 @cindex object code format
846 Specify an object code format other than your system's default format.
847 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
848
849 @item -u
850 @itemx --undefined-only
851 @cindex external symbols
852 @cindex undefined symbols
853 Display only undefined symbols (those external to each object file).
854
855 @item --defined-only
856 @cindex external symbols
857 @cindex undefined symbols
858 Display only defined symbols for each object file.
859
860 @item -V
861 @itemx --version
862 Show the version number of @code{nm} and exit.
863
864 @item -X
865 This option is ignored for compatibility with the AIX version of
866 @code{nm}. It takes one parameter which must be the string
867 @code{32_64}. The default mode of AIX @code{nm} corresponds
868 to @code{-X 32}, which is not supported by @sc{gnu} @code{nm}.
869
870 @item --help
871 Show a summary of the options to @code{nm} and exit.
872 @end table
873
874 @node objcopy
875 @chapter objcopy
876
877 @smallexample
878 objcopy [ -F @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
879 [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
880 [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
881 [ -S | --strip-all ] [ -g | --strip-debug ]
882 [ -K @var{symbolname} | --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
883 [ -N @var{symbolname} | --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
884 [ -L @var{symbolname} | --localize-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
885 [ -W @var{symbolname} | --weaken-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
886 [ -x | --discard-all ] [ -X | --discard-locals ]
887 [ -b @var{byte} | --byte=@var{byte} ]
888 [ -i @var{interleave} | --interleave=@var{interleave} ]
889 [ -j @var{sectionname} | --only-section=@var{sectionname} ]
890 [ -R @var{sectionname} | --remove-section=@var{sectionname} ]
891 [ -p | --preserve-dates ] [ --debugging ]
892 [ --gap-fill=@var{val} ] [ --pad-to=@var{address} ]
893 [ --set-start=@var{val} ] [ --adjust-start=@var{incr} ]
894 [ --change-addresses=@var{incr} ]
895 [ --change-section-address @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val} ]
896 [ --change-section-lma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val} ]
897 [ --change-section-vma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val} ]
898 [ --change-warnings ] [ --no-change-warnings ]
899 [ --set-section-flags @var{section}=@var{flags} ]
900 [ --add-section @var{sectionname}=@var{filename} ]
901 [ --change-leading-char ] [ --remove-leading-char ]
902 [ --redefine-sym @var{old}=@var{new} ] [ --weaken ]
903 [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ]
904 @var{infile} [@var{outfile}]
905 @end smallexample
906
907 The @sc{gnu} @code{objcopy} utility copies the contents of an object
908 file to another. @code{objcopy} uses the @sc{gnu} @sc{bfd} Library to
909 read and write the object files. It can write the destination object
910 file in a format different from that of the source object file. The
911 exact behavior of @code{objcopy} is controlled by command-line options.
912 Note that @code{objcopy} should be able to copy a fully linked file
913 between any two formats. However, copying a relocatable object file
914 between any two formats may not work as expected.
915
916 @code{objcopy} creates temporary files to do its translations and
917 deletes them afterward. @code{objcopy} uses @sc{bfd} to do all its
918 translation work; it has access to all the formats described in @sc{bfd}
919 and thus is able to recognize most formats without being told
920 explicitly. @xref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD}.
921
922 @code{objcopy} can be used to generate S-records by using an output
923 target of @samp{srec} (e.g., use @samp{-O srec}).
924
925 @code{objcopy} can be used to generate a raw binary file by using an
926 output target of @samp{binary} (e.g., use @samp{-O binary}). When
927 @code{objcopy} generates a raw binary file, it will essentially produce
928 a memory dump of the contents of the input object file. All symbols and
929 relocation information will be discarded. The memory dump will start at
930 the load address of the lowest section copied into the output file.
931
932 When generating an S-record or a raw binary file, it may be helpful to
933 use @samp{-S} to remove sections containing debugging information. In
934 some cases @samp{-R} will be useful to remove sections which contain
935 information that is not needed by the binary file.
936
937 @table @code
938 @item @var{infile}
939 @itemx @var{outfile}
940 The input and output files, respectively.
941 If you do not specify @var{outfile}, @code{objcopy} creates a
942 temporary file and destructively renames the result with
943 the name of @var{infile}.
944
945 @item -I @var{bfdname}
946 @itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
947 Consider the source file's object format to be @var{bfdname}, rather than
948 attempting to deduce it. @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
949
950 @item -O @var{bfdname}
951 @itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
952 Write the output file using the object format @var{bfdname}.
953 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
954
955 @item -F @var{bfdname}
956 @itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
957 Use @var{bfdname} as the object format for both the input and the output
958 file; i.e., simply transfer data from source to destination with no
959 translation. @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
960
961 @item -j @var{sectionname}
962 @itemx --only-section=@var{sectionname}
963 Copy only the named section from the input file to the output file.
964 This option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
965 inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
966
967 @item -R @var{sectionname}
968 @itemx --remove-section=@var{sectionname}
969 Remove any section named @var{sectionname} from the output file. This
970 option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
971 inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
972
973 @item -S
974 @itemx --strip-all
975 Do not copy relocation and symbol information from the source file.
976
977 @item -g
978 @itemx --strip-debug
979 Do not copy debugging symbols from the source file.
980
981 @item --strip-unneeded
982 Strip all symbols that are not needed for relocation processing.
983
984 @item -K @var{symbolname}
985 @itemx --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname}
986 Copy only symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may
987 be given more than once.
988
989 @item -N @var{symbolname}
990 @itemx --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname}
991 Do not copy symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option
992 may be given more than once.
993
994 @item -L @var{symbolname}
995 @itemx --localize-symbol=@var{symbolname}
996 Make symbol @var{symbolname} local to the file, so that it is not
997 visible externally. This option may be given more than once.
998
999 @item -W @var{symbolname}
1000 @itemx --weaken-symbol=@var{symbolname}
1001 Make symbol @var{symbolname} weak. This option may be given more than once.
1002
1003 @item -x
1004 @itemx --discard-all
1005 Do not copy non-global symbols from the source file.
1006 @c FIXME any reason to prefer "non-global" to "local" here?
1007
1008 @item -X
1009 @itemx --discard-locals
1010 Do not copy compiler-generated local symbols.
1011 (These usually start with @samp{L} or @samp{.}.)
1012
1013 @item -b @var{byte}
1014 @itemx --byte=@var{byte}
1015 Keep only every @var{byte}th byte of the input file (header data is not
1016 affected). @var{byte} can be in the range from 0 to @var{interleave}-1,
1017 where @var{interleave} is given by the @samp{-i} or @samp{--interleave}
1018 option, or the default of 4. This option is useful for creating files
1019 to program @sc{rom}. It is typically used with an @code{srec} output
1020 target.
1021
1022 @item -i @var{interleave}
1023 @itemx --interleave=@var{interleave}
1024 Only copy one out of every @var{interleave} bytes. Select which byte to
1025 copy with the @var{-b} or @samp{--byte} option. The default is 4.
1026 @code{objcopy} ignores this option if you do not specify either @samp{-b} or
1027 @samp{--byte}.
1028
1029 @item -p
1030 @itemx --preserve-dates
1031 Set the access and modification dates of the output file to be the same
1032 as those of the input file.
1033
1034 @item --debugging
1035 Convert debugging information, if possible. This is not the default
1036 because only certain debugging formats are supported, and the
1037 conversion process can be time consuming.
1038
1039 @item --gap-fill @var{val}
1040 Fill gaps between sections with @var{val}. This operation applies to
1041 the @emph{load address} (LMA) of the sections. It is done by increasing
1042 the size of the section with the lower address, and filling in the extra
1043 space created with @var{val}.
1044
1045 @item --pad-to @var{address}
1046 Pad the output file up to the load address @var{address}. This is
1047 done by increasing the size of the last section. The extra space is
1048 filled in with the value specified by @samp{--gap-fill} (default zero).
1049
1050 @item --set-start @var{val}
1051 Set the start address of the new file to @var{val}. Not all object file
1052 formats support setting the start address.
1053
1054 @item --change-start @var{incr}
1055 @itemx --adjust-start @var{incr}
1056 @cindex changing start address
1057 Change the start address by adding @var{incr}. Not all object file
1058 formats support setting the start address.
1059
1060 @item --change-addresses @var{incr}
1061 @itemx --adjust-vma @var{incr}
1062 @cindex changing object addresses
1063 Change the VMA and LMA addresses of all sections, as well as the start
1064 address, by adding @var{incr}. Some object file formats do not permit
1065 section addresses to be changed arbitrarily. Note that this does not
1066 relocate the sections; if the program expects sections to be loaded at a
1067 certain address, and this option is used to change the sections such
1068 that they are loaded at a different address, the program may fail.
1069
1070 @item --change-section-address @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1071 @itemx --adjust-section-vma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1072 @cindex changing section address
1073 Set or change both the VMA address and the LMA address of the named
1074 @var{section}. If @samp{=} is used, the section address is set to
1075 @var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is added to or subtracted from the
1076 section address. See the comments under @samp{--change-addresses},
1077 above. If @var{section} does not exist in the input file, a warning will
1078 be issued, unless @samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1079
1080 @item --change-section-lma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1081 @cindex changing section LMA
1082 Set or change the LMA address of the named @var{section}. The LMA
1083 address is the address where the section will be loaded into memory at
1084 program load time. Normally this is the same as the VMA address, which
1085 is the address of the section at program run time, but on some systems,
1086 especially those where a program is held in ROM, the two can be
1087 different. If @samp{=} is used, the section address is set to
1088 @var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is added to or subtracted from the
1089 section address. See the comments under @samp{--change-addresses},
1090 above. If @var{section} does not exist in the input file, a warning
1091 will be issued, unless @samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1092
1093 @item --change-section-vma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
1094 @cindex changing section VMA
1095 Set or change the VMA address of the named @var{section}. The VMA
1096 address is the address where the section will be located once the
1097 program has started executing. Normally this is the same as the LMA
1098 address, which is the address where the section will be loaded into
1099 memory, but on some systems, especially those where a program is held in
1100 ROM, the two can be different. If @samp{=} is used, the section address
1101 is set to @var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is added to or subtracted
1102 from the section address. See the comments under
1103 @samp{--change-addresses}, above. If @var{section} does not exist in
1104 the input file, a warning will be issued, unless
1105 @samp{--no-change-warnings} is used.
1106
1107 @item --change-warnings
1108 @itemx --adjust-warnings
1109 If @samp{--change-section-address} or @samp{--change-section-lma} or
1110 @samp{--change-section-vma} is used, and the named section does not
1111 exist, issue a warning. This is the default.
1112
1113 @item --no-change-warnings
1114 @itemx --no-adjust-warnings
1115 Do not issue a warning if @samp{--change-section-address} or
1116 @samp{--adjust-section-lma} or @samp{--adjust-section-vma} is used, even
1117 if the named section does not exist.
1118
1119 @item --set-section-flags @var{section}=@var{flags}
1120 Set the flags for the named section. The @var{flags} argument is a
1121 comma separated string of flag names. The recognized names are
1122 @samp{alloc}, @samp{contents}, @samp{load}, @samp{noload},
1123 @samp{readonly}, @samp{code}, @samp{data}, @samp{rom}, @samp{share}, and
1124 @samp{debug}. You can set the @samp{contents} flag for a section which
1125 does not have contents, but it is not meaningful to clear the
1126 @samp{contents} flag of a section which does have contents--just remove
1127 the section instead. Not all flags are meaningful for all object file
1128 formats.
1129
1130 @item --add-section @var{sectionname}=@var{filename}
1131 Add a new section named @var{sectionname} while copying the file. The
1132 contents of the new section are taken from the file @var{filename}. The
1133 size of the section will be the size of the file. This option only
1134 works on file formats which can support sections with arbitrary names.
1135
1136 @item --change-leading-char
1137 Some object file formats use special characters at the start of
1138 symbols. The most common such character is underscore, which compilers
1139 often add before every symbol. This option tells @code{objcopy} to
1140 change the leading character of every symbol when it converts between
1141 object file formats. If the object file formats use the same leading
1142 character, this option has no effect. Otherwise, it will add a
1143 character, or remove a character, or change a character, as
1144 appropriate.
1145
1146 @item --remove-leading-char
1147 If the first character of a global symbol is a special symbol leading
1148 character used by the object file format, remove the character. The
1149 most common symbol leading character is underscore. This option will
1150 remove a leading underscore from all global symbols. This can be useful
1151 if you want to link together objects of different file formats with
1152 different conventions for symbol names. This is different from
1153 @code{--change-leading-char} because it always changes the symbol name
1154 when appropriate, regardless of the object file format of the output
1155 file.
1156
1157 @item --redefine-sym @var{old}=@var{new}
1158 Change the name of a symbol @var{old}, to @var{new}. This can be useful
1159 when one is trying link two things together for which you have no
1160 source, and there are name collisions.
1161
1162 @item --weaken
1163 Change all global symbols in the file to be weak. This can be useful
1164 when building an object which will be linked against other objects using
1165 the @code{-R} option to the linker. This option is only effective when
1166 using an object file format which supports weak symbols.
1167
1168 @item -V
1169 @itemx --version
1170 Show the version number of @code{objcopy}.
1171
1172 @item -v
1173 @itemx --verbose
1174 Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
1175 archives, @samp{objcopy -V} lists all members of the archive.
1176
1177 @item --help
1178 Show a summary of the options to @code{objcopy}.
1179 @end table
1180
1181 @node objdump
1182 @chapter objdump
1183
1184 @cindex object file information
1185 @kindex objdump
1186
1187 @smallexample
1188 objdump [ -a | --archive-headers ]
1189 [ -b @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
1190 [ -C | --demangle[=@var{style}] ]
1191 [ -d | --disassemble ]
1192 [ -D | --disassemble-all ]
1193 [ -z | --disassemble-zeroes ]
1194 [ -EB | -EL | --endian=@{big | little @} ]
1195 [ -f | --file-headers ]
1196 [ --file-start-context ]
1197 [ -g | --debugging ]
1198 [ -h | --section-headers | --headers ]
1199 [ -i | --info ]
1200 [ -j @var{section} | --section=@var{section} ]
1201 [ -l | --line-numbers ]
1202 [ -S | --source ]
1203 [ -m @var{machine} | --architecture=@var{machine} ]
1204 [ -M @var{options} | --disassembler-options=@var{options}]
1205 [ -p | --private-headers ]
1206 [ -r | --reloc ]
1207 [ -R | --dynamic-reloc ]
1208 [ -s | --full-contents ]
1209 [ -G | --stabs ]
1210 [ -t | --syms ]
1211 [ -T | --dynamic-syms ]
1212 [ -x | --all-headers ]
1213 [ -w | --wide ]
1214 [ --start-address=@var{address} ]
1215 [ --stop-address=@var{address} ]
1216 [ --prefix-addresses]
1217 [ --[no-]show-raw-insn ]
1218 [ --adjust-vma=@var{offset} ]
1219 [ -V | --version ]
1220 [ -H | --help ]
1221 @var{objfile}@dots{}
1222 @end smallexample
1223
1224 @code{objdump} displays information about one or more object files.
1225 The options control what particular information to display. This
1226 information is mostly useful to programmers who are working on the
1227 compilation tools, as opposed to programmers who just want their
1228 program to compile and work.
1229
1230 @var{objfile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined. When you
1231 specify archives, @code{objdump} shows information on each of the member
1232 object files.
1233
1234 The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
1235 equivalent. At least one option from the list
1236 @samp{-a,-d,-D,-f,-g,-G,-h,-H,-p,-r,-R,-S,-t,-T,-V,-x} must be given.
1237
1238 @table @code
1239 @item -a
1240 @itemx --archive-header
1241 @cindex archive headers
1242 If any of the @var{objfile} files are archives, display the archive
1243 header information (in a format similar to @samp{ls -l}). Besides the
1244 information you could list with @samp{ar tv}, @samp{objdump -a} shows
1245 the object file format of each archive member.
1246
1247 @item --adjust-vma=@var{offset}
1248 @cindex section addresses in objdump
1249 @cindex VMA in objdump
1250 When dumping information, first add @var{offset} to all the section
1251 addresses. This is useful if the section addresses do not correspond to
1252 the symbol table, which can happen when putting sections at particular
1253 addresses when using a format which can not represent section addresses,
1254 such as a.out.
1255
1256 @item -b @var{bfdname}
1257 @itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1258 @cindex object code format
1259 Specify that the object-code format for the object files is
1260 @var{bfdname}. This option may not be necessary; @var{objdump} can
1261 automatically recognize many formats.
1262
1263 For example,
1264 @example
1265 objdump -b oasys -m vax -h fu.o
1266 @end example
1267 @noindent
1268 displays summary information from the section headers (@samp{-h}) of
1269 @file{fu.o}, which is explicitly identified (@samp{-m}) as a VAX object
1270 file in the format produced by Oasys compilers. You can list the
1271 formats available with the @samp{-i} option.
1272 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1273
1274 @item -C
1275 @itemx --demangle[=@var{style}]
1276 @cindex demangling in objdump
1277 Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
1278 Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
1279 makes C++ function names readable. Different compilers have different
1280 mangling styles. The optional demangling style argument can be used to
1281 choose an appropriate demangling style for your compiler. @xref{c++filt},
1282 for more information on demangling.
1283
1284 @item -G
1285 @item --debugging
1286 Display debugging information. This attempts to parse debugging
1287 information stored in the file and print it out using a C like syntax.
1288 Only certain types of debugging information have been implemented.
1289
1290 @item -d
1291 @itemx --disassemble
1292 @cindex disassembling object code
1293 @cindex machine instructions
1294 Display the assembler mnemonics for the machine instructions from
1295 @var{objfile}. This option only disassembles those sections which are
1296 expected to contain instructions.
1297
1298 @item -D
1299 @itemx --disassemble-all
1300 Like @samp{-d}, but disassemble the contents of all sections, not just
1301 those expected to contain instructions.
1302
1303 @item --prefix-addresses
1304 When disassembling, print the complete address on each line. This is
1305 the older disassembly format.
1306
1307 @item --disassemble-zeroes
1308 Normally the disassembly output will skip blocks of zeroes. This
1309 option directs the disassembler to disassemble those blocks, just like
1310 any other data.
1311
1312 @item -EB
1313 @itemx -EL
1314 @itemx --endian=@{big|little@}
1315 @cindex endianness
1316 @cindex disassembly endianness
1317 Specify the endianness of the object files. This only affects
1318 disassembly. This can be useful when disassembling a file format which
1319 does not describe endianness information, such as S-records.
1320
1321 @item -f
1322 @itemx --file-header
1323 @cindex object file header
1324 Display summary information from the overall header of
1325 each of the @var{objfile} files.
1326
1327 @item --file-start-context
1328 @cindex source code context
1329 Specify that when displaying interlisted source code/disassembly
1330 (assumes '-S') from a file that has not yet been displayed, extend the
1331 context to the start of the file.
1332
1333 @item -h
1334 @itemx --section-header
1335 @itemx --header
1336 @cindex section headers
1337 Display summary information from the section headers of the
1338 object file.
1339
1340 File segments may be relocated to nonstandard addresses, for example by
1341 using the @samp{-Ttext}, @samp{-Tdata}, or @samp{-Tbss} options to
1342 @code{ld}. However, some object file formats, such as a.out, do not
1343 store the starting address of the file segments. In those situations,
1344 although @code{ld} relocates the sections correctly, using @samp{objdump
1345 -h} to list the file section headers cannot show the correct addresses.
1346 Instead, it shows the usual addresses, which are implicit for the
1347 target.
1348
1349 @item --help
1350 Print a summary of the options to @code{objdump} and exit.
1351
1352 @item -i
1353 @itemx --info
1354 @cindex architectures available
1355 @cindex object formats available
1356 Display a list showing all architectures and object formats available
1357 for specification with @samp{-b} or @samp{-m}.
1358
1359 @item -j @var{name}
1360 @itemx --section=@var{name}
1361 @cindex section information
1362 Display information only for section @var{name}.
1363
1364 @item -l
1365 @itemx --line-numbers
1366 @cindex source filenames for object files
1367 Label the display (using debugging information) with the filename and
1368 source line numbers corresponding to the object code or relocs shown.
1369 Only useful with @samp{-d}, @samp{-D}, or @samp{-r}.
1370
1371 @item -m @var{machine}
1372 @itemx --architecture=@var{machine}
1373 @cindex architecture
1374 @cindex disassembly architecture
1375 Specify the architecture to use when disassembling object files. This
1376 can be useful when disassembling object files which do not describe
1377 architecture information, such as S-records. You can list the available
1378 architectures with the @samp{-i} option.
1379
1380 @item -M @var{options}
1381 @itemx --disassembler-options=@var{options}
1382 Pass target specific information to the disassembler. Only supported on
1383 some targets.
1384
1385 If the target is an ARM architecture then this switch can be used to
1386 select which register name set is used during disassembler. Specifying
1387 @samp{-M reg-name-std} (the default) will select the register names as
1388 used in ARM's instruction set documentation, but with register 13 called
1389 'sp', register 14 called 'lr' and register 15 called 'pc'. Specifying
1390 @samp{-M reg-names-apcs} will select the name set used by the ARM
1391 Procedure Call Standard, whilst specifying @samp{-M reg-names-raw} will
1392 just use @samp{r} followed by the register number.
1393
1394 There are also two variants on the APCS register naming scheme enabled
1395 by @samp{-M reg-names-atpcs} and @samp{-M reg-names-special-atpcs} which
1396 use the ARM/Thumb Procedure Call Standard naming conventions. (Eiuther
1397 with the normal register name sor the special register names).
1398
1399 This option can also be used for ARM architectures to force the
1400 disassembler to interpret all instructions as THUMB instructions by
1401 using the switch @samp{--disassembler-options=force-thumb}. This can be
1402 useful when attempting to disassemble thumb code produced by other
1403 compilers.
1404
1405 @item -p
1406 @itemx --private-headers
1407 Print information that is specific to the object file format. The exact
1408 information printed depends upon the object file format. For some
1409 object file formats, no additional information is printed.
1410
1411 @item -r
1412 @itemx --reloc
1413 @cindex relocation entries, in object file
1414 Print the relocation entries of the file. If used with @samp{-d} or
1415 @samp{-D}, the relocations are printed interspersed with the
1416 disassembly.
1417
1418 @item -R
1419 @itemx --dynamic-reloc
1420 @cindex dynamic relocation entries, in object file
1421 Print the dynamic relocation entries of the file. This is only
1422 meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
1423 libraries.
1424
1425 @item -s
1426 @itemx --full-contents
1427 @cindex sections, full contents
1428 @cindex object file sections
1429 Display the full contents of any sections requested.
1430
1431 @item -S
1432 @itemx --source
1433 @cindex source disassembly
1434 @cindex disassembly, with source
1435 Display source code intermixed with disassembly, if possible. Implies
1436 @samp{-d}.
1437
1438 @item --show-raw-insn
1439 When disassembling instructions, print the instruction in hex as well as
1440 in symbolic form. This is the default except when
1441 @code{--prefix-addresses} is used.
1442
1443 @item --no-show-raw-insn
1444 When disassembling instructions, do not print the instruction bytes.
1445 This is the default when @code{--prefix-addresses} is used.
1446
1447 @item -G
1448 @item --stabs
1449 @cindex stab
1450 @cindex .stab
1451 @cindex debug symbols
1452 @cindex ELF object file format
1453 Display the full contents of any sections requested. Display the
1454 contents of the .stab and .stab.index and .stab.excl sections from an
1455 ELF file. This is only useful on systems (such as Solaris 2.0) in which
1456 @code{.stab} debugging symbol-table entries are carried in an ELF
1457 section. In most other file formats, debugging symbol-table entries are
1458 interleaved with linkage symbols, and are visible in the @samp{--syms}
1459 output. For more information on stabs symbols, see @ref{Top,Stabs,Stabs
1460 Overview,stabs.info, The ``stabs'' debug format}.
1461
1462 @item --start-address=@var{address}
1463 @cindex start-address
1464 Start displaying data at the specified address. This affects the output
1465 of the @code{-d}, @code{-r} and @code{-s} options.
1466
1467 @item --stop-address=@var{address}
1468 @cindex stop-address
1469 Stop displaying data at the specified address. This affects the output
1470 of the @code{-d}, @code{-r} and @code{-s} options.
1471
1472 @item -t
1473 @itemx --syms
1474 @cindex symbol table entries, printing
1475 Print the symbol table entries of the file.
1476 This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm} program.
1477
1478 @item -T
1479 @itemx --dynamic-syms
1480 @cindex dynamic symbol table entries, printing
1481 Print the dynamic symbol table entries of the file. This is only
1482 meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
1483 libraries. This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm}
1484 program when given the @samp{-D} (@samp{--dynamic}) option.
1485
1486 @item --version
1487 Print the version number of @code{objdump} and exit.
1488
1489 @item -x
1490 @itemx --all-header
1491 @cindex all header information, object file
1492 @cindex header information, all
1493 Display all available header information, including the symbol table and
1494 relocation entries. Using @samp{-x} is equivalent to specifying all of
1495 @samp{-a -f -h -r -t}.
1496
1497 @item -w
1498 @itemx --wide
1499 @cindex wide output, printing
1500 Format some lines for output devices that have more than 80 columns.
1501 @end table
1502
1503 @node ranlib
1504 @chapter ranlib
1505
1506 @kindex ranlib
1507 @cindex archive contents
1508 @cindex symbol index
1509
1510 @smallexample
1511 ranlib [-vV] @var{archive}
1512 @end smallexample
1513
1514 @code{ranlib} generates an index to the contents of an archive and
1515 stores it in the archive. The index lists each symbol defined by a
1516 member of an archive that is a relocatable object file.
1517
1518 You may use @samp{nm -s} or @samp{nm --print-armap} to list this index.
1519
1520 An archive with such an index speeds up linking to the library and
1521 allows routines in the library to call each other without regard to
1522 their placement in the archive.
1523
1524 The @sc{gnu} @code{ranlib} program is another form of @sc{gnu} @code{ar}; running
1525 @code{ranlib} is completely equivalent to executing @samp{ar -s}.
1526 @xref{ar}.
1527
1528 @table @code
1529 @item -v
1530 @itemx -V
1531 @itemx --version
1532 Show the version number of @code{ranlib}.
1533 @end table
1534
1535 @node size
1536 @chapter size
1537
1538 @kindex size
1539 @cindex section sizes
1540
1541 @smallexample
1542 size [ -A | -B | --format=@var{compatibility} ]
1543 [ --help ] [ -d | -o | -x | --radix=@var{number} ]
1544 [ --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ -V | --version ]
1545 [ @var{objfile}@dots{} ]
1546 @end smallexample
1547
1548 The @sc{gnu} @code{size} utility lists the section sizes---and the total
1549 size---for each of the object or archive files @var{objfile} in its
1550 argument list. By default, one line of output is generated for each
1551 object file or each module in an archive.
1552
1553 @var{objfile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined.
1554 If none are specified, the file @code{a.out} will be used.
1555
1556 The command line options have the following meanings:
1557
1558 @table @code
1559 @item -A
1560 @itemx -B
1561 @itemx --format=@var{compatibility}
1562 @cindex @code{size} display format
1563 Using one of these options, you can choose whether the output from @sc{gnu}
1564 @code{size} resembles output from System V @code{size} (using @samp{-A},
1565 or @samp{--format=sysv}), or Berkeley @code{size} (using @samp{-B}, or
1566 @samp{--format=berkeley}). The default is the one-line format similar to
1567 Berkeley's.
1568 @c Bonus for doc-source readers: you can also say --format=strange (or
1569 @c anything else that starts with 's') for sysv, and --format=boring (or
1570 @c anything else that starts with 'b') for Berkeley.
1571
1572 Here is an example of the Berkeley (default) format of output from
1573 @code{size}:
1574 @smallexample
1575 $ size --format=Berkeley ranlib size
1576 text data bss dec hex filename
1577 294880 81920 11592 388392 5ed28 ranlib
1578 294880 81920 11888 388688 5ee50 size
1579 @end smallexample
1580
1581 @noindent
1582 This is the same data, but displayed closer to System V conventions:
1583
1584 @smallexample
1585 $ size --format=SysV ranlib size
1586 ranlib :
1587 section size addr
1588 .text 294880 8192
1589 .data 81920 303104
1590 .bss 11592 385024
1591 Total 388392
1592
1593
1594 size :
1595 section size addr
1596 .text 294880 8192
1597 .data 81920 303104
1598 .bss 11888 385024
1599 Total 388688
1600 @end smallexample
1601
1602 @item --help
1603 Show a summary of acceptable arguments and options.
1604
1605 @item -d
1606 @itemx -o
1607 @itemx -x
1608 @itemx --radix=@var{number}
1609 @cindex @code{size} number format
1610 @cindex radix for section sizes
1611 Using one of these options, you can control whether the size of each
1612 section is given in decimal (@samp{-d}, or @samp{--radix=10}); octal
1613 (@samp{-o}, or @samp{--radix=8}); or hexadecimal (@samp{-x}, or
1614 @samp{--radix=16}). In @samp{--radix=@var{number}}, only the three
1615 values (8, 10, 16) are supported. The total size is always given in two
1616 radices; decimal and hexadecimal for @samp{-d} or @samp{-x} output, or
1617 octal and hexadecimal if you're using @samp{-o}.
1618
1619 @item --target=@var{bfdname}
1620 @cindex object code format
1621 Specify that the object-code format for @var{objfile} is
1622 @var{bfdname}. This option may not be necessary; @code{size} can
1623 automatically recognize many formats.
1624 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1625
1626 @item -V
1627 @itemx --version
1628 Display the version number of @code{size}.
1629 @end table
1630
1631 @node strings
1632 @chapter strings
1633 @kindex strings
1634 @cindex listings strings
1635 @cindex printing strings
1636 @cindex strings, printing
1637
1638 @smallexample
1639 strings [-afov] [-@var{min-len}] [-n @var{min-len}] [-t @var{radix}] [-]
1640 [--all] [--print-file-name] [--bytes=@var{min-len}]
1641 [--radix=@var{radix}] [--target=@var{bfdname}]
1642 [--help] [--version] @var{file}@dots{}
1643 @end smallexample
1644
1645 For each @var{file} given, @sc{gnu} @code{strings} prints the printable
1646 character sequences that are at least 4 characters long (or the number
1647 given with the options below) and are followed by an unprintable
1648 character. By default, it only prints the strings from the initialized
1649 and loaded sections of object files; for other types of files, it prints
1650 the strings from the whole file.
1651
1652 @code{strings} is mainly useful for determining the contents of non-text
1653 files.
1654
1655 @table @code
1656 @item -a
1657 @itemx --all
1658 @itemx -
1659 Do not scan only the initialized and loaded sections of object files;
1660 scan the whole files.
1661
1662 @item -f
1663 @itemx --print-file-name
1664 Print the name of the file before each string.
1665
1666 @item --help
1667 Print a summary of the program usage on the standard output and exit.
1668
1669 @item -@var{min-len}
1670 @itemx -n @var{min-len}
1671 @itemx --bytes=@var{min-len}
1672 Print sequences of characters that are at least @var{min-len} characters
1673 long, instead of the default 4.
1674
1675 @item -o
1676 Like @samp{-t o}. Some other versions of @code{strings} have @samp{-o}
1677 act like @samp{-t d} instead. Since we can not be compatible with both
1678 ways, we simply chose one.
1679
1680 @item -t @var{radix}
1681 @itemx --radix=@var{radix}
1682 Print the offset within the file before each string. The single
1683 character argument specifies the radix of the offset---@samp{o} for
1684 octal, @samp{x} for hexadecimal, or @samp{d} for decimal.
1685
1686 @item --target=@var{bfdname}
1687 @cindex object code format
1688 Specify an object code format other than your system's default format.
1689 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1690
1691 @item -v
1692 @itemx --version
1693 Print the program version number on the standard output and exit.
1694 @end table
1695
1696 @node strip
1697 @chapter strip
1698
1699 @kindex strip
1700 @cindex removing symbols
1701 @cindex discarding symbols
1702 @cindex symbols, discarding
1703
1704 @smallexample
1705 strip [ -F @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
1706 [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1707 [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
1708 [ -s | --strip-all ] [ -S | -g | --strip-debug ]
1709 [ -K @var{symbolname} | --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
1710 [ -N @var{symbolname} | --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
1711 [ -x | --discard-all ] [ -X | --discard-locals ]
1712 [ -R @var{sectionname} | --remove-section=@var{sectionname} ]
1713 [ -o @var{file} ] [ -p | --preserve-dates ]
1714 [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ]
1715 @var{objfile}@dots{}
1716 @end smallexample
1717
1718 @sc{gnu} @code{strip} discards all symbols from object files
1719 @var{objfile}. The list of object files may include archives.
1720 At least one object file must be given.
1721
1722 @code{strip} modifies the files named in its argument,
1723 rather than writing modified copies under different names.
1724
1725 @table @code
1726 @item -F @var{bfdname}
1727 @itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1728 Treat the original @var{objfile} as a file with the object
1729 code format @var{bfdname}, and rewrite it in the same format.
1730 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1731
1732 @item --help
1733 Show a summary of the options to @code{strip} and exit.
1734
1735 @item -I @var{bfdname}
1736 @itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
1737 Treat the original @var{objfile} as a file with the object
1738 code format @var{bfdname}.
1739 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1740
1741 @item -O @var{bfdname}
1742 @itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
1743 Replace @var{objfile} with a file in the output format @var{bfdname}.
1744 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
1745
1746 @item -R @var{sectionname}
1747 @itemx --remove-section=@var{sectionname}
1748 Remove any section named @var{sectionname} from the output file. This
1749 option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
1750 inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
1751
1752 @item -s
1753 @itemx --strip-all
1754 Remove all symbols.
1755
1756 @item -g
1757 @itemx -S
1758 @itemx --strip-debug
1759 Remove debugging symbols only.
1760
1761 @item --strip-unneeded
1762 Remove all symbols that are not needed for relocation processing.
1763
1764 @item -K @var{symbolname}
1765 @itemx --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname}
1766 Keep only symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may
1767 be given more than once.
1768
1769 @item -N @var{symbolname}
1770 @itemx --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname}
1771 Remove symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may be
1772 given more than once, and may be combined with strip options other than
1773 @code{-K}.
1774
1775 @item -o @var{file}
1776 Put the stripped output in @var{file}, rather than replacing the
1777 existing file. When this argument is used, only one @var{objfile}
1778 argument may be specified.
1779
1780 @item -p
1781 @itemx --preserve-dates
1782 Preserve the access and modification dates of the file.
1783
1784 @item -x
1785 @itemx --discard-all
1786 Remove non-global symbols.
1787
1788 @item -X
1789 @itemx --discard-locals
1790 Remove compiler-generated local symbols.
1791 (These usually start with @samp{L} or @samp{.}.)
1792
1793 @item -V
1794 @itemx --version
1795 Show the version number for @code{strip}.
1796
1797 @item -v
1798 @itemx --verbose
1799 Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
1800 archives, @samp{strip -v} lists all members of the archive.
1801 @end table
1802
1803 @node c++filt, addr2line, strip, Top
1804 @chapter c++filt
1805
1806 @kindex c++filt
1807 @cindex demangling C++ symbols
1808
1809 @smallexample
1810 c++filt [ -_ | --strip-underscores ]
1811 [ -j | --java ]
1812 [ -n | --no-strip-underscores ]
1813 [ -s @var{format} | --format=@var{format} ]
1814 [ --help ] [ --version ] [ @var{symbol}@dots{} ]
1815 @end smallexample
1816
1817 @kindex cxxfilt
1818 The C++ and Java languages provides function overloading, which means
1819 that you can write many functions with the same name (providing each
1820 takes parameters of different types). All C++ and Java function names
1821 are encoded into a low-level assembly label (this process is known as
1822 @dfn{mangling}). The @code{c++filt}
1823 @footnote{MS-DOS does not allow @kbd{+} characters in file names, so on
1824 MS-DOS this program is named @code{cxxfilt}.}
1825 program does the inverse mapping: it decodes (@dfn{demangles}) low-level
1826 names into user-level names so that the linker can keep these overloaded
1827 functions from clashing.
1828
1829 Every alphanumeric word (consisting of letters, digits, underscores,
1830 dollars, or periods) seen in the input is a potential label. If the
1831 label decodes into a C++ name, the C++ name replaces the low-level
1832 name in the output.
1833
1834 You can use @code{c++filt} to decipher individual symbols:
1835
1836 @example
1837 c++filt @var{symbol}
1838 @end example
1839
1840 If no @var{symbol} arguments are given, @code{c++filt} reads symbol
1841 names from the standard input and writes the demangled names to the
1842 standard output. All results are printed on the standard output.
1843
1844 @table @code
1845 @item -_
1846 @itemx --strip-underscores
1847 On some systems, both the C and C++ compilers put an underscore in front
1848 of every name. For example, the C name @code{foo} gets the low-level
1849 name @code{_foo}. This option removes the initial underscore. Whether
1850 @code{c++filt} removes the underscore by default is target dependent.
1851
1852 @item -j
1853 @itemx --java
1854 Prints demangled names using Java syntax. The default is to use C++
1855 syntax.
1856
1857 @item -n
1858 @itemx --no-strip-underscores
1859 Do not remove the initial underscore.
1860
1861 @item -s @var{format}
1862 @itemx --format=@var{format}
1863 @sc{gnu} @code{nm} can decode three different methods of mangling, used by
1864 different C++ compilers. The argument to this option selects which
1865 method it uses:
1866
1867 @table @code
1868 @item gnu
1869 the one used by the @sc{gnu} compiler (the default method)
1870 @item lucid
1871 the one used by the Lucid compiler
1872 @item arm
1873 the one specified by the C++ Annotated Reference Manual
1874 @item hp
1875 the one used by the HP compiler
1876 @item edg
1877 the one used by the EDG compiler
1878 @item gnu-new-abi
1879 the one used by the @sc{gnu} compiler with the new ABI.
1880 @end table
1881
1882 @item --help
1883 Print a summary of the options to @code{c++filt} and exit.
1884
1885 @item --version
1886 Print the version number of @code{c++filt} and exit.
1887 @end table
1888
1889 @quotation
1890 @emph{Warning:} @code{c++filt} is a new utility, and the details of its
1891 user interface are subject to change in future releases. In particular,
1892 a command-line option may be required in the the future to decode a name
1893 passed as an argument on the command line; in other words,
1894
1895 @example
1896 c++filt @var{symbol}
1897 @end example
1898
1899 @noindent
1900 may in a future release become
1901
1902 @example
1903 c++filt @var{option} @var{symbol}
1904 @end example
1905 @end quotation
1906
1907 @node addr2line
1908 @chapter addr2line
1909
1910 @kindex addr2line
1911 @cindex address to file name and line number
1912
1913 @smallexample
1914 addr2line [ -b @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
1915 [ -C | --demangle[=@var{style} ]
1916 [ -e @var{filename} | --exe=@var{filename} ]
1917 [ -f | --functions ] [ -s | --basename ]
1918 [ -H | --help ] [ -V | --version ]
1919 [ addr addr ... ]
1920 @end smallexample
1921
1922 @code{addr2line} translates program addresses into file names and line
1923 numbers. Given an address and an executable, it uses the debugging
1924 information in the executable to figure out which file name and line
1925 number are associated with a given address.
1926
1927 The executable to use is specified with the @code{-e} option. The
1928 default is the file @file{a.out}.
1929
1930 @code{addr2line} has two modes of operation.
1931
1932 In the first, hexadecimal addresses are specified on the command line,
1933 and @code{addr2line} displays the file name and line number for each
1934 address.
1935
1936 In the second, @code{addr2line} reads hexadecimal addresses from
1937 standard input, and prints the file name and line number for each
1938 address on standard output. In this mode, @code{addr2line} may be used
1939 in a pipe to convert dynamically chosen addresses.
1940
1941 The format of the output is @samp{FILENAME:LINENO}. The file name and
1942 line number for each address is printed on a separate line. If the
1943 @code{-f} option is used, then each @samp{FILENAME:LINENO} line is
1944 preceded by a @samp{FUNCTIONNAME} line which is the name of the function
1945 containing the address.
1946
1947 If the file name or function name can not be determined,
1948 @code{addr2line} will print two question marks in their place. If the
1949 line number can not be determined, @code{addr2line} will print 0.
1950
1951 The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
1952 equivalent.
1953
1954 @table @code
1955 @item -b @var{bfdname}
1956 @itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
1957 @cindex object code format
1958 Specify that the object-code format for the object files is
1959 @var{bfdname}.
1960
1961 @item -C
1962 @itemx --demangle[=@var{style}]
1963 @cindex demangling in objdump
1964 Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
1965 Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
1966 makes C++ function names readable. Different compilers have different
1967 mangling styles. The optional demangling style argument can be used to
1968 choose an appropriate demangling style for your compiler. @xref{c++filt},
1969 for more information on demangling.
1970
1971 @item -e @var{filename}
1972 @itemx --exe=@var{filename}
1973 Specify the name of the executable for which addresses should be
1974 translated. The default file is @file{a.out}.
1975
1976 @item -f
1977 @itemx --functions
1978 Display function names as well as file and line number information.
1979
1980 @item -s
1981 @itemx --basenames
1982 Display only the base of each file name.
1983 @end table
1984
1985 @node nlmconv
1986 @chapter nlmconv
1987
1988 @code{nlmconv} converts a relocatable object file into a NetWare
1989 Loadable Module.
1990
1991 @ignore
1992 @code{nlmconv} currently works with @samp{i386} object
1993 files in @code{coff}, @sc{elf}, or @code{a.out} format, and @sc{SPARC}
1994 object files in @sc{elf}, or @code{a.out} format@footnote{
1995 @code{nlmconv} should work with any @samp{i386} or @sc{sparc} object
1996 format in the Binary File Descriptor library. It has only been tested
1997 with the above formats.}.
1998 @end ignore
1999
2000 @quotation
2001 @emph{Warning:} @code{nlmconv} is not always built as part of the binary
2002 utilities, since it is only useful for NLM targets.
2003 @end quotation
2004
2005 @smallexample
2006 nlmconv [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
2007 [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
2008 [ -T @var{headerfile} | --header-file=@var{headerfile} ]
2009 [ -d | --debug] [ -l @var{linker} | --linker=@var{linker} ]
2010 [ -h | --help ] [ -V | --version ]
2011 @var{infile} @var{outfile}
2012 @end smallexample
2013
2014 @code{nlmconv} converts the relocatable @samp{i386} object file
2015 @var{infile} into the NetWare Loadable Module @var{outfile}, optionally
2016 reading @var{headerfile} for NLM header information. For instructions
2017 on writing the NLM command file language used in header files, see the
2018 @samp{linkers} section, @samp{NLMLINK} in particular, of the @cite{NLM
2019 Development and Tools Overview}, which is part of the NLM Software
2020 Developer's Kit (``NLM SDK''), available from Novell, Inc.
2021 @code{nlmconv} uses the @sc{gnu} Binary File Descriptor library to read
2022 @var{infile}; see @ref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD}, for
2023 more information.
2024
2025 @code{nlmconv} can perform a link step. In other words, you can list
2026 more than one object file for input if you list them in the definitions
2027 file (rather than simply specifying one input file on the command line).
2028 In this case, @code{nlmconv} calls the linker for you.
2029
2030 @table @code
2031 @item -I @var{bfdname}
2032 @itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
2033 Object format of the input file. @code{nlmconv} can usually determine
2034 the format of a given file (so no default is necessary).
2035 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
2036
2037 @item -O @var{bfdname}
2038 @itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
2039 Object format of the output file. @code{nlmconv} infers the output
2040 format based on the input format, e.g. for a @samp{i386} input file the
2041 output format is @samp{nlm32-i386}.
2042 @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
2043
2044 @item -T @var{headerfile}
2045 @itemx --header-file=@var{headerfile}
2046 Reads @var{headerfile} for NLM header information. For instructions on
2047 writing the NLM command file language used in header files, see@ see the
2048 @samp{linkers} section, of the @cite{NLM Development and Tools
2049 Overview}, which is part of the NLM Software Developer's Kit, available
2050 from Novell, Inc.
2051
2052 @item -d
2053 @itemx --debug
2054 Displays (on standard error) the linker command line used by @code{nlmconv}.
2055
2056 @item -l @var{linker}
2057 @itemx --linker=@var{linker}
2058 Use @var{linker} for any linking. @var{linker} can be an absolute or a
2059 relative pathname.
2060
2061 @item -h
2062 @itemx --help
2063 Prints a usage summary.
2064
2065 @item -V
2066 @itemx --version
2067 Prints the version number for @code{nlmconv}.
2068 @end table
2069
2070 @node windres
2071 @chapter windres
2072
2073 @code{windres} may be used to manipulate Windows resources.
2074
2075 @quotation
2076 @emph{Warning:} @code{windres} is not always built as part of the binary
2077 utilities, since it is only useful for Windows targets.
2078 @end quotation
2079
2080 @smallexample
2081 windres [options] [input-file] [output-file]
2082 @end smallexample
2083
2084 @code{windres} reads resources from an input file and copies them into
2085 an output file. Either file may be in one of three formats:
2086
2087 @table @code
2088 @item rc
2089 A text format read by the Resource Compiler.
2090
2091 @item res
2092 A binary format generated by the Resource Compiler.
2093
2094 @item coff
2095 A COFF object or executable.
2096 @end table
2097
2098 The exact description of these different formats is available in
2099 documentation from Microsoft.
2100
2101 When @code{windres} converts from the @code{rc} format to the @code{res}
2102 format, it is acting like the Windows Resource Compiler. When
2103 @code{windres} converts from the @code{res} format to the @code{coff}
2104 format, it is acting like the Windows @code{CVTRES} program.
2105
2106 When @code{windres} generates an @code{rc} file, the output is similar
2107 but not identical to the format expected for the input. When an input
2108 @code{rc} file refers to an external filename, an output @code{rc} file
2109 will instead include the file contents.
2110
2111 If the input or output format is not specified, @code{windres} will
2112 guess based on the file name, or, for the input file, the file contents.
2113 A file with an extension of @file{.rc} will be treated as an @code{rc}
2114 file, a file with an extension of @file{.res} will be treated as a
2115 @code{res} file, and a file with an extension of @file{.o} or
2116 @file{.exe} will be treated as a @code{coff} file.
2117
2118 If no output file is specified, @code{windres} will print the resources
2119 in @code{rc} format to standard output.
2120
2121 The normal use is for you to write an @code{rc} file, use @code{windres}
2122 to convert it to a COFF object file, and then link the COFF file into
2123 your application. This will make the resources described in the
2124 @code{rc} file available to Windows.
2125
2126 @table @code
2127 @item -i @var{filename}
2128 @itemx --input @var{filename}
2129 The name of the input file. If this option is not used, then
2130 @code{windres} will use the first non-option argument as the input file
2131 name. If there are no non-option arguments, then @code{windres} will
2132 read from standard input. @code{windres} can not read a COFF file from
2133 standard input.
2134
2135 @item -o @var{filename}
2136 @itemx --output @var{filename}
2137 The name of the output file. If this option is not used, then
2138 @code{windres} will use the first non-option argument, after any used
2139 for the input file name, as the output file name. If there is no
2140 non-option argument, then @code{windres} will write to standard output.
2141 @code{windres} can not write a COFF file to standard output.
2142
2143 @item -I @var{format}
2144 @itemx --input-format @var{format}
2145 The input format to read. @var{format} may be @samp{res}, @samp{rc}, or
2146 @samp{coff}. If no input format is specified, @code{windres} will
2147 guess, as described above.
2148
2149 @item -O @var{format}
2150 @itemx --output-format @var{format}
2151 The output format to generate. @var{format} may be @samp{res},
2152 @samp{rc}, or @samp{coff}. If no output format is specified,
2153 @code{windres} will guess, as described above.
2154
2155 @item -F @var{target}
2156 @itemx --target @var{target}
2157 Specify the BFD format to use for a COFF file as input or output. This
2158 is a BFD target name; you can use the @code{--help} option to see a list
2159 of supported targets. Normally @code{windres} will use the default
2160 format, which is the first one listed by the @code{--help} option.
2161 @ref{Target Selection}.
2162
2163 @item --preprocessor @var{program}
2164 When @code{windres} reads an @code{rc} file, it runs it through the C
2165 preprocessor first. This option may be used to specify the preprocessor
2166 to use, including any leading arguments. The default preprocessor
2167 argument is @code{gcc -E -xc-header -DRC_INVOKED}.
2168
2169 @item --include-dir @var{directory}
2170 Specify an include directory to use when reading an @code{rc} file.
2171 @code{windres} will pass this to the preprocessor as an @code{-I}
2172 option. @code{windres} will also search this directory when looking for
2173 files named in the @code{rc} file.
2174
2175 @item -D @var{target}
2176 @itemx --define @var{sym}[=@var{val}]
2177 Specify a @code{-D} option to pass to the preprocessor when reading an
2178 @code{rc} file.
2179
2180 @item -v
2181 Enable verbose mode. This tells you what the preprocessor is if you
2182 didn't specify one.
2183
2184 @item --language @var{val}
2185 Specify the default language to use when reading an @code{rc} file.
2186 @var{val} should be a hexadecimal language code. The low eight bits are
2187 the language, and the high eight bits are the sublanguage.
2188
2189 @item --use-temp-file
2190 Use a temporary file to instead of using popen to read the output of
2191 the preprocessor. Use this option if the popen implementation is buggy
2192 on the host (eg., certain non-English language versions of Windows 95 and
2193 Windows 98 are known to have buggy popen where the output will instead
2194 go the console).
2195
2196 @item --no-use-temp-file
2197 Use popen, not a temporary file, to read the output of the preprocessor.
2198 This is the default behaviour.
2199
2200 @item --help
2201 Prints a usage summary.
2202
2203 @item --version
2204 Prints the version number for @code{windres}.
2205
2206 @item --yydebug
2207 If @code{windres} is compiled with @code{YYDEBUG} defined as @code{1},
2208 this will turn on parser debugging.
2209 @end table
2210
2211
2212 @node dlltool
2213 @chapter Create files needed to build and use DLLs
2214 @cindex DLL
2215 @kindex dlltool
2216
2217 @code{dlltool} may be used to create the files needed to build and use
2218 dynamic link libraries (DLLs).
2219
2220 @quotation
2221 @emph{Warning:} @code{dlltool} is not always built as part of the binary
2222 utilities, since it is only useful for those targets which support DLLs.
2223 @end quotation
2224
2225 @smallexample
2226 dlltool [-d|--input-def @var{def-file-name}]
2227 [-b|--base-file @var{base-file-name}]
2228 [-e|--output-exp @var{exports-file-name}]
2229 [-z|--output-def @var{def-file-name}]
2230 [-l|--output-lib @var{library-file-name}]
2231 [--export-all-symbols] [--no-export-all-symbols]
2232 [--exclude-symbols @var{list}]
2233 [--no-default-excludes]
2234 [-S|--as @var{path-to-assembler}] [-f|--as-flags @var{options}]
2235 [-D|--dllname @var{name}] [-m|--machine @var{machine}]
2236 [-a|--add-indirect] [-U|--add-underscore] [-k|--kill-at]
2237 [-A|--add-stdcall-alias]
2238 [-x|--no-idata4] [-c|--no-idata5] [-i|--interwork]
2239 [-n|--nodelete] [-v|--verbose] [-h|--help] [-V|--version]
2240 [object-file @dots{}]
2241 @end smallexample
2242
2243 @code{dlltool} reads its inputs, which can come from the @samp{-d} and
2244 @samp{-b} options as well as object files specified on the command
2245 line. It then processes these inputs and if the @samp{-e} option has
2246 been specified it creates a exports file. If the @samp{-l} option
2247 has been specified it creates a library file and if the @samp{-z} option
2248 has been specified it creates a def file. Any or all of the -e, -l
2249 and -z options can be present in one invocation of dlltool.
2250
2251 When creating a DLL, along with the source for the DLL, it is necessary
2252 to have three other files. @code{dlltool} can help with the creation of
2253 these files.
2254
2255 The first file is a @samp{.def} file which specifies which functions are
2256 exported from the DLL, which functions the DLL imports, and so on. This
2257 is a text file and can be created by hand, or @code{dlltool} can be used
2258 to create it using the @samp{-z} option. In this case @code{dlltool}
2259 will scan the object files specified on its command line looking for
2260 those functions which have been specially marked as being exported and
2261 put entries for them in the .def file it creates.
2262
2263 In order to mark a function as being exported from a DLL, it needs to
2264 have an @samp{-export:<name_of_function>} entry in the @samp{.drectve}
2265 section of the object file. This can be done in C by using the
2266 asm() operator:
2267
2268 @smallexample
2269 asm (".section .drectve");
2270 asm (".ascii \"-export:my_func\"");
2271
2272 int my_func (void) @{ @dots{} @}
2273 @end smallexample
2274
2275 The second file needed for DLL creation is an exports file. This file
2276 is linked with the object files that make up the body of the DLL and it
2277 handles the interface between the DLL and the outside world. This is a
2278 binary file and it can be created by giving the @samp{-e} option to
2279 @code{dlltool} when it is creating or reading in a .def file.
2280
2281 The third file needed for DLL creation is the library file that programs
2282 will link with in order to access the functions in the DLL. This file
2283 can be created by giving the @samp{-l} option to dlltool when it
2284 is creating or reading in a .def file.
2285
2286 @code{dlltool} builds the library file by hand, but it builds the
2287 exports file by creating temporary files containing assembler statements
2288 and then assembling these. The @samp{-S} command line option can be
2289 used to specify the path to the assembler that dlltool will use,
2290 and the @samp{-f} option can be used to pass specific flags to that
2291 assembler. The @samp{-n} can be used to prevent dlltool from deleting
2292 these temporary assembler files when it is done, and if @samp{-n} is
2293 specified twice then this will prevent dlltool from deleting the
2294 temporary object files it used to build the library.
2295
2296 Here is an example of creating a DLL from a source file @samp{dll.c} and
2297 also creating a program (from an object file called @samp{program.o})
2298 that uses that DLL:
2299
2300 @smallexample
2301 gcc -c dll.c
2302 dlltool -e exports.o -l dll.lib dll.o
2303 gcc dll.o exports.o -o dll.dll
2304 gcc program.o dll.lib -o program
2305 @end smallexample
2306
2307 The command line options have the following meanings:
2308
2309 @table @code
2310
2311 @item -d @var{filename}
2312 @itemx --input-def @var{filename}
2313 @cindex input .def file
2314 Specifies the name of a .def file to be read in and processed.
2315
2316 @item -b @var{filename}
2317 @itemx --base-file @var{filename}
2318 @cindex base files
2319 Specifies the name of a base file to be read in and processed. The
2320 contents of this file will be added to the relocation section in the
2321 exports file generated by dlltool.
2322
2323 @item -e @var{filename}
2324 @itemx --output-exp @var{filename}
2325 Specifies the name of the export file to be created by dlltool.
2326
2327 @item -z @var{filename}
2328 @itemx --output-def @var{filename}
2329 Specifies the name of the .def file to be created by dlltool.
2330
2331 @item -l @var{filename}
2332 @itemx --output-lib @var{filename}
2333 Specifies the name of the library file to be created by dlltool.
2334
2335 @item --export-all-symbols
2336 Treat all global and weak defined symbols found in the input object
2337 files as symbols to be exported. There is a small list of symbols which
2338 are not exported by default; see the @code{--no-default-excludes}
2339 option. You may add to the list of symbols to not export by using the
2340 @code{--exclude-symbols} option.
2341
2342 @item --no-export-all-symbols
2343 Only export symbols explicitly listed in an input .def file or in
2344 @samp{.drectve} sections in the input object files. This is the default
2345 behaviour. The @samp{.drectve} sections are created by @samp{dllexport}
2346 attributes in the source code.
2347
2348 @item --exclude-symbols @var{list}
2349 Do not export the symbols in @var{list}. This is a list of symbol names
2350 separated by comma or colon characters. The symbol names should not
2351 contain a leading underscore. This is only meaningful when
2352 @code{--export-all-symbols} is used.
2353
2354 @item --no-default-excludes
2355 When @code{--export-all-symbols} is used, it will by default avoid
2356 exporting certain special symbols. The current list of symbols to avoid
2357 exporting is @samp{DllMain@@12}, @samp{DllEntryPoint@@0},
2358 @samp{impure_ptr}. You may use the @code{--no-default-excludes} option
2359 to go ahead and export these special symbols. This is only meaningful
2360 when @code{--export-all-symbols} is used.
2361
2362 @item -S @var{path}
2363 @itemx --as @var{path}
2364 Specifies the path, including the filename, of the assembler to be used
2365 to create the exports file.
2366
2367 @item -f @var{switches}
2368 @itemx --as-flags @var{switches}
2369 Specifies any specific command line switches to be passed to the
2370 assembler when building the exports file. This option will work even if
2371 the @samp{-S} option is not used. This option only takes one argument,
2372 and if it occurs more than once on the command line, then later
2373 occurrences will override earlier occurrences. So if it is necessary to
2374 pass multiple switches to the assembler they should be enclosed in
2375 double quotes.
2376
2377 @item -D @var{name}
2378 @itemx --dll-name @var{name}
2379 Specifies the name to be stored in the .def file as the name of the DLL
2380 when the @samp{-e} option is used. If this option is not present, then
2381 the filename given to the @samp{-e} option will be used as the name of
2382 the DLL.
2383
2384 @item -m @var{machine}
2385 @itemx -machine @var{machine}
2386 Specifies the type of machine for which the library file should be
2387 built. @code{dlltool} has a built in default type, depending upon how
2388 it was created, but this option can be used to override that. This is
2389 normally only useful when creating DLLs for an ARM processor, when the
2390 contents of the DLL are actually encode using THUMB instructions.
2391
2392 @item -a
2393 @itemx --add-indirect
2394 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2395 should add a section which allows the exported functions to be
2396 referenced without using the import library. Whatever the hell that
2397 means!
2398
2399 @item -U
2400 @itemx --add-underscore
2401 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2402 should prepend an underscore to the names of the exported functions.
2403
2404 @item -k
2405 @itemx --kill-at
2406 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2407 should not append the string @samp{@@ <number>}. These numbers are
2408 called ordinal numbers and they represent another way of accessing the
2409 function in a DLL, other than by name.
2410
2411 @item -A
2412 @itemx --add-stdcall-alias
2413 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports file it
2414 should add aliases for stdcall symbols without @samp{@@ <number>}
2415 in addition to the symbols with @samp{@@ <number>}.
2416
2417 @item -x
2418 @itemx --no-idata4
2419 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports and library
2420 files it should omit the .idata4 section. This is for compatibility
2421 with certain operating systems.
2422
2423 @item -c
2424 @itemx --no-idata5
2425 Specifies that when @code{dlltool} is creating the exports and library
2426 files it should omit the .idata5 section. This is for compatibility
2427 with certain operating systems.
2428
2429 @item -i
2430 @itemx --interwork
2431 Specifies that @code{dlltool} should mark the objects in the library
2432 file and exports file that it produces as supporting interworking
2433 between ARM and THUMB code.
2434
2435 @item -n
2436 @itemx --nodelete
2437 Makes @code{dlltool} preserve the temporary assembler files it used to
2438 create the exports file. If this option is repeated then dlltool will
2439 also preserve the temporary object files it uses to create the library
2440 file.
2441
2442 @item -v
2443 @itemx --verbose
2444 Make dlltool describe what it is doing.
2445
2446 @item -h
2447 @itemx --help
2448 Displays a list of command line options and then exits.
2449
2450 @item -V
2451 @itemx --version
2452 Displays dlltool's version number and then exits.
2453
2454 @end table
2455
2456 @node readelf
2457 @chapter readelf
2458
2459 @cindex ELF file information
2460 @kindex readelf
2461
2462 @smallexample
2463 readelf [ -a | --all ]
2464 [ -h | --file-header]
2465 [ -l | --program-headers | --segments]
2466 [ -S | --section-headers | --sections]
2467 [ -e | --headers]
2468 [ -s | --syms | --symbols]
2469 [ -n | --notes]
2470 [ -r | --relocs]
2471 [ -d | --dynamic]
2472 [ -V | --version-info]
2473 [ -D | --use-dynamic]
2474 [ -x <number> | --hex-dump=<number>]
2475 [ -w[liapr] | --debug-dump[=info,=line,=abbrev,=pubnames,=ranges]]
2476 [ --histogram]
2477 [ -v | --version]
2478 [ -H | --help]
2479 @var{elffile}@dots{}
2480 @end smallexample
2481
2482 @code{readelf} displays information about one or more ELF format object
2483 files. The options control what particular information to display.
2484
2485 @var{elffile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined. At the
2486 moment, @code{readelf} does not support examining archives, nor does it
2487 support examing 64 bit ELF files.
2488
2489 The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
2490 equivalent. At least one option besides @samp{-v} or @samp{-H} must be
2491 given.
2492
2493 @table @code
2494 @item -a
2495 @itemx --all
2496 Equivalent to specifiying @samp{--file-header},
2497 @samp{--program-headers}, @samp{--sections}, @samp{--symbols},
2498 @samp{--relocs}, @samp{--dynamic}, @samp{--notes} and
2499 @samp{--version-info}.
2500
2501 @item -h
2502 @itemx --file-header
2503 @cindex ELF file header information
2504 Displays the information contained in the ELF header at the start of the
2505 file.
2506
2507 @item -l
2508 @itemx --program-headers
2509 @itemx --segments
2510 @cindex ELF program header information
2511 @cindex ELF segment information
2512 Displays the information contained in the file's segment headers, if it
2513 has any.
2514
2515 @item -S
2516 @itemx --sections
2517 @itemx --section-headers
2518 @cindex ELF section information
2519 Displays the information contained in the file's section headers, if it
2520 has any.
2521
2522 @item -s
2523 @itemx --symbols
2524 @itemx --syms
2525 @cindex ELF symbol table information
2526 Displays the entries in symbol table section of the file, if it has one.
2527
2528 @item -e
2529 @itemx --headers
2530 Display all the headers in the file. Equivalent to @samp{-h -l -S}.
2531
2532 @item -n
2533 @itemx --notes
2534 @cindex ELF core notes
2535 Displays the contents of the NOTE segment, if it exists.
2536
2537 @item -r
2538 @itemx --relocs
2539 @cindex ELF reloc information
2540 Displays the contents of the file's relocation section, if it ha one.
2541
2542 @item -d
2543 @itemx --dynamic
2544 @cindex ELF dynamic section information
2545 Displays the contents of the file's dynamic section, if it has one.
2546
2547 @item -V
2548 @itemx --version-info
2549 @cindex ELF version sections informations
2550 Displays the contents of the version sections in the file, it they
2551 exist.
2552
2553 @item -D
2554 @itemx --use-dynamic
2555 When displaying symbols, this option makes @code{readelf} use the
2556 symbol table in the file's dynamic section, rather than the one in the
2557 symbols section.
2558
2559 @item -x <number>
2560 @itemx --hex-dump=<number>
2561 Displays the contents of the indicated section as a hexadecimal dump.
2562
2563 @item -w[liapr]
2564 @itemx --debug-dump[=line,=info,=abbrev,=pubnames,=ranges]
2565 Displays the contents of the debug sections in the file, if any are
2566 present. If one of the optional letters or words follows the switch
2567 then only data found in those specific sections will be dumped.
2568
2569 @item --histogram
2570 Display a histogram of bucket list lengths when displaying the contents
2571 of the symbol tables.
2572
2573 @item -v
2574 @itemx --version
2575 Display the version number of readelf.
2576
2577 @item -H
2578 @itemx --help
2579 Display the command line options understood by @code{readelf}.
2580
2581 @end table
2582
2583
2584 @node Selecting The Target System
2585 @chapter Selecting the target system
2586
2587 You can specify three aspects of the target system to the @sc{gnu}
2588 binary file utilities, each in several ways:
2589
2590 @itemize @bullet
2591 @item
2592 the target
2593
2594 @item
2595 the architecture
2596
2597 @item
2598 the linker emulation (which applies to the linker only)
2599 @end itemize
2600
2601 In the following summaries, the lists of ways to specify values are in
2602 order of decreasing precedence. The ways listed first override those
2603 listed later.
2604
2605 The commands to list valid values only list the values for which the
2606 programs you are running were configured. If they were configured with
2607 @samp{--enable-targets=all}, the commands list most of the available
2608 values, but a few are left out; not all targets can be configured in at
2609 once because some of them can only be configured @dfn{native} (on hosts
2610 with the same type as the target system).
2611
2612 @menu
2613 * Target Selection::
2614 * Architecture Selection::
2615 * Linker Emulation Selection::
2616 @end menu
2617
2618 @node Target Selection
2619 @section Target Selection
2620
2621 A @dfn{target} is an object file format. A given target may be
2622 supported for multiple architectures (@pxref{Architecture Selection}).
2623 A target selection may also have variations for different operating
2624 systems or architectures.
2625
2626 The command to list valid target values is @samp{objdump -i}
2627 (the first column of output contains the relevant information).
2628
2629 Some sample values are: @samp{a.out-hp300bsd}, @samp{ecoff-littlemips},
2630 @samp{a.out-sunos-big}.
2631
2632 You can also specify a target using a configuration triplet. This is
2633 the same sort of name that is passed to @file{configure} to specify a
2634 target. When you use a configuration triplet as an argument, it must be
2635 fully canonicalized. You can see the canonical version of a triplet by
2636 running the shell script @file{config.sub} which is included with the
2637 sources.
2638
2639 Some sample configuration triplets are: @samp{m68k-hp-bsd},
2640 @samp{mips-dec-ultrix}, @samp{sparc-sun-sunos}.
2641
2642 @subheading @code{objdump} Target
2643
2644 Ways to specify:
2645
2646 @enumerate
2647 @item
2648 command line option: @samp{-b} or @samp{--target}
2649
2650 @item
2651 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2652
2653 @item
2654 deduced from the input file
2655 @end enumerate
2656
2657 @subheading @code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Input Target
2658
2659 Ways to specify:
2660
2661 @enumerate
2662 @item
2663 command line options: @samp{-I} or @samp{--input-target}, or @samp{-F} or @samp{--target}
2664
2665 @item
2666 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2667
2668 @item
2669 deduced from the input file
2670 @end enumerate
2671
2672 @subheading @code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Output Target
2673
2674 Ways to specify:
2675
2676 @enumerate
2677 @item
2678 command line options: @samp{-O} or @samp{--output-target}, or @samp{-F} or @samp{--target}
2679
2680 @item
2681 the input target (see ``@code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Input Target'' above)
2682
2683 @item
2684 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2685
2686 @item
2687 deduced from the input file
2688 @end enumerate
2689
2690 @subheading @code{nm}, @code{size}, and @code{strings} Target
2691
2692 Ways to specify:
2693
2694 @enumerate
2695 @item
2696 command line option: @samp{--target}
2697
2698 @item
2699 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2700
2701 @item
2702 deduced from the input file
2703 @end enumerate
2704
2705 @subheading Linker Input Target
2706
2707 Ways to specify:
2708
2709 @enumerate
2710 @item
2711 command line option: @samp{-b} or @samp{--format}
2712 (@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2713
2714 @item
2715 script command @code{TARGET}
2716 (@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2717
2718 @item
2719 environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
2720 (@pxref{Environment,,Environment,ld.info,Using LD})
2721
2722 @item
2723 the default target of the selected linker emulation
2724 (@pxref{Linker Emulation Selection})
2725 @end enumerate
2726
2727 @subheading Linker Output Target
2728
2729 Ways to specify:
2730
2731 @enumerate
2732 @item
2733 command line option: @samp{-oformat}
2734 (@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2735
2736 @item
2737 script command @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT}
2738 (@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2739
2740 @item
2741 the linker input target (see ``Linker Input Target'' above)
2742 @end enumerate
2743
2744 @node Architecture Selection
2745 @section Architecture selection
2746
2747 An @dfn{architecture} is a type of @sc{cpu} on which an object file is
2748 to run. Its name may contain a colon, separating the name of the
2749 processor family from the name of the particular @sc{cpu}.
2750
2751 The command to list valid architecture values is @samp{objdump -i} (the
2752 second column contains the relevant information).
2753
2754 Sample values: @samp{m68k:68020}, @samp{mips:3000}, @samp{sparc}.
2755
2756 @subheading @code{objdump} Architecture
2757
2758 Ways to specify:
2759
2760 @enumerate
2761 @item
2762 command line option: @samp{-m} or @samp{--architecture}
2763
2764 @item
2765 deduced from the input file
2766 @end enumerate
2767
2768 @subheading @code{objcopy}, @code{nm}, @code{size}, @code{strings} Architecture
2769
2770 Ways to specify:
2771
2772 @enumerate
2773 @item
2774 deduced from the input file
2775 @end enumerate
2776
2777 @subheading Linker Input Architecture
2778
2779 Ways to specify:
2780
2781 @enumerate
2782 @item
2783 deduced from the input file
2784 @end enumerate
2785
2786 @subheading Linker Output Architecture
2787
2788 Ways to specify:
2789
2790 @enumerate
2791 @item
2792 script command @code{OUTPUT_ARCH}
2793 (@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
2794
2795 @item
2796 the default architecture from the linker output target
2797 (@pxref{Target Selection})
2798 @end enumerate
2799
2800 @node Linker Emulation Selection
2801 @section Linker emulation selection
2802
2803 A linker @dfn{emulation} is a ``personality'' of the linker, which gives
2804 the linker default values for the other aspects of the target system.
2805 In particular, it consists of
2806
2807 @itemize @bullet
2808 @item
2809 the linker script
2810
2811 @item
2812 the target
2813
2814 @item
2815 several ``hook'' functions that are run at certain stages of the linking
2816 process to do special things that some targets require
2817 @end itemize
2818
2819 The command to list valid linker emulation values is @samp{ld -V}.
2820
2821 Sample values: @samp{hp300bsd}, @samp{mipslit}, @samp{sun4}.
2822
2823 Ways to specify:
2824
2825 @enumerate
2826 @item
2827 command line option: @samp{-m}
2828 (@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
2829
2830 @item
2831 environment variable @code{LDEMULATION}
2832
2833 @item
2834 compiled-in @code{DEFAULT_EMULATION} from @file{Makefile},
2835 which comes from @code{EMUL} in @file{config/@var{target}.mt}
2836 @end enumerate
2837
2838 @node Reporting Bugs
2839 @chapter Reporting Bugs
2840 @cindex bugs
2841 @cindex reporting bugs
2842
2843 Your bug reports play an essential role in making the binary utilities
2844 reliable.
2845
2846 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or
2847 it may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is
2848 to help the entire community by making the next version of the binary
2849 utilities work better. Bug reports are your contribution to their
2850 maintenance.
2851
2852 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
2853 information that enables us to fix the bug.
2854
2855 @menu
2856 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
2857 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
2858 @end menu
2859
2860 @node Bug Criteria
2861 @section Have you found a bug?
2862 @cindex bug criteria
2863
2864 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
2865
2866 @itemize @bullet
2867 @cindex fatal signal
2868 @cindex crash
2869 @item
2870 If a binary utility gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is
2871 a bug. Reliable utilities never crash.
2872
2873 @cindex error on valid input
2874 @item
2875 If a binary utility produces an error message for valid input, that is a
2876 bug.
2877
2878 @item
2879 If you are an experienced user of binary utilities, your suggestions for
2880 improvement are welcome in any case.
2881 @end itemize
2882
2883 @node Bug Reporting
2884 @section How to report bugs
2885 @cindex bug reports
2886 @cindex bugs, reporting
2887
2888 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu}
2889 products. If you obtained the binary utilities from a support
2890 organization, we recommend you contact that organization first.
2891
2892 You can find contact information for many support companies and
2893 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
2894 distribution.
2895
2896 In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for the binary
2897 utilities to @samp{bug-gnu-utils@@gnu.org}.
2898
2899 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
2900 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
2901 fact or leave it out, state it!
2902
2903 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
2904 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
2905 assume that the name of a file you use in an example does not matter.
2906 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is
2907 a stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where
2908 that pathname is stored in memory; perhaps, if the pathname were
2909 different, the contents of that location would fool the utility into
2910 doing the right thing despite the bug. Play it safe and give a
2911 specific, complete example. That is the easiest thing for you to do,
2912 and the most helpful.
2913
2914 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the bug if
2915 it is new to us. Therefore, always write your bug reports on the assumption
2916 that the bug has not been reported previously.
2917
2918 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
2919 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
2920 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
2921 bugs properly.
2922
2923 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
2924
2925 @itemize @bullet
2926 @item
2927 The version of the utility. Each utility announces it if you start it
2928 with the @samp{--version} argument.
2929
2930 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
2931 the bug in the current version of the binary utilities.
2932
2933 @item
2934 Any patches you may have applied to the source, including any patches
2935 made to the @code{BFD} library.
2936
2937 @item
2938 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
2939 version number.
2940
2941 @item
2942 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the utilities---e.g.
2943 ``@code{gcc-2.7}''.
2944
2945 @item
2946 The command arguments you gave the utility to observe the bug. To
2947 guarantee you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy
2948 of the Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
2949
2950 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
2951 and then we might not encounter the bug.
2952
2953 @item
2954 A complete input file, or set of input files, that will reproduce the
2955 bug. If the utility is reading an object file or files, then it is
2956 generally most helpful to send the actual object files, uuencoded if
2957 necessary to get them through the mail system. Note that
2958 @samp{bug-gnu-utils@@gnu.org} is a mailing list, so you should avoid
2959 sending very large files to it. Making the files available for
2960 anonymous FTP is OK.
2961
2962 If the source files were produced exclusively using @sc{gnu} programs
2963 (e.g., @code{gcc}, @code{gas}, and/or the @sc{gnu} @code{ld}), then it
2964 may be OK to send the source files rather than the object files. In
2965 this case, be sure to say exactly what version of @code{gcc}, or
2966 whatever, was used to produce the object files. Also say how
2967 @code{gcc}, or whatever, was configured.
2968
2969 @item
2970 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
2971 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
2972
2973 Of course, if the bug is that the utility gets a fatal signal, then we
2974 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
2975 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
2976 a chance to make a mistake.
2977
2978 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
2979 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as your
2980 copy of the utility is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
2981 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
2982 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
2983 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
2984 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
2985 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
2986
2987 @item
2988 If you wish to suggest changes to the source, send us context diffs, as
2989 generated by @code{diff} with the @samp{-u}, @samp{-c}, or @samp{-p}
2990 option. Always send diffs from the old file to the new file. If you
2991 wish to discuss something in the @code{ld} source, refer to it by
2992 context, not by line number.
2993
2994 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
2995 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
2996 @end itemize
2997
2998 Here are some things that are not necessary:
2999
3000 @itemize @bullet
3001 @item
3002 A description of the envelope of the bug.
3003
3004 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
3005 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
3006 changes will not affect it.
3007
3008 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
3009 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
3010 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
3011 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
3012
3013 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
3014 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
3015 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
3016 less time, and so on.
3017
3018 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
3019 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
3020
3021 @item
3022 A patch for the bug.
3023
3024 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
3025 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
3026 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
3027 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
3028
3029 Sometimes with programs as complicated as the binary utilities it is
3030 very hard to construct an example that will make the program follow a
3031 certain path through the code. If you do not send us the example, we
3032 will not be able to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that
3033 the bug is fixed.
3034
3035 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
3036 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
3037 help us to understand.
3038
3039 @item
3040 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
3041
3042 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
3043 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
3044 @end itemize
3045
3046 @node Index
3047 @unnumbered Index
3048
3049 @printindex cp
3050
3051 @contents
3052 @bye