[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Specify how undefined weak symbol should be resolved in executable
Hi,
On Wed, 24 Feb 2016, H.J. Lu wrote:
> >> I was saying as far as ld was concerned, weak defined and non-weak
> >> defined dynamic symbols would be treated equally at run-time. Do you
> >> agree with me?
> >
> > I at least don't. The difference is that a defined weak symbol (at
> > link edit time) might become undefined at runtime. A defined non-weak
> > symbol can't. So they have to be handled differently.
> >
>
> How?
Like right now (mostly)? Resolution of weak symbols needs to be deferred
to the dynamic linker, in particular they mustn't be resolved (to either
zero or an address) at link edit time. There's one case where weak
symbols can be resolved early: if at link edit time the executable itself
provides a definition of 'foo' then weak references can be directly
resolved to that one (because at runtime of that exectuable there's no
possibility to not have this symbol defined).
To not do that (i.e. resolve them always at link edit time) breaks various
current uses of weak symbols. We could do that of course, but I don't
think that would be useful to users.
Ciao,
Michael.