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Shared library support for GNU
******************************

   This file documents GNU Libtool, a script that allows package
developers to provide generic shared library support.  This edition
documents version 1.4.2a.

   Note: Reporting bugs, for information on how to report problems
with libtool.

Introduction: What the heck is libtool?
Libtool paradigm: How libtool's view of libraries is different.
Using libtool: Example of using libtool to build libraries.
Invoking libtool: Running the `libtool' script.
Integrating libtool: Using libtool in your own packages.
Versioning: Using library interface versions.
Library tips: Tips for library interface design.
Inter-library dependencies: Libraries that depend on other libraries.
Dlopened modules: `dlopen'ing libtool-created libraries.
Using libltdl: Libtool's portable `dlopen' wrapper library.
Other languages: Using libtool without a C compiler.
Troubleshooting: When libtool doesn't work as advertised.
Maintaining: Information used by the libtool maintainer.
GNU Free Documentation License: License for this manual.
Index: Full index.

Introduction

Motivation: Why does GNU need a libtool?
Issues: The problems that need to be addressed.
Other implementations: How other people have solved these issues.
Postmortem: Learning from past difficulties.

Using libtool

Creating object files: Compiling object files for libraries.
Linking libraries: Creating libraries from object files.
Linking executables: Linking object files against libtool libraries.
Debugging executables: Running GDB on libtool-generated programs.
Installing libraries: Making libraries available to users.
Installing executables: Making programs available to users.
Static libraries: When shared libraries are not wanted.

Invoking `libtool'

Compile mode: Creating library object files.
Link mode: Generating executables and libraries.
Execute mode: Debugging libtool-generated programs.
Install mode: Making libraries and executables public.
Finish mode: Completing a library installation.
Uninstall mode: Removing installed executables and libraries.
Clean mode: Removing uninstalled executables and libraries.

Integrating libtool with your package

Makefile rules: Writing `Makefile' rules for libtool.
Using Automake: Automatically supporting libtool.
Configuring: Configuring libtool for a host system.
Distributing: What files to distribute with your package.
Static-only libraries: Sometimes shared libraries are just a pain.

Configuring libtool

AC_PROG_LIBTOOL: Configuring `libtool' in `configure.in'.

Including libtool in your package

Invoking libtoolize: `libtoolize' command line options.
Autoconf .o macros: Autoconf macros that set object file names.

Library interface versions

Interfaces: What are library interfaces?
Libtool versioning: Libtool's versioning system.
Updating version info: Changing version information before releases.
Release numbers: Breaking binary compatibility for aesthetics.

Tips for interface design

C header files: How to write portable include files.

Dlopened modules

Building modules: Creating dlopenable objects and libraries.
Dlpreopening: Dlopening that works on static platforms.
Finding the dlname: Choosing the right file to `dlopen'.
Dlopen issues: Unresolved problems that need your attention.

Using libltdl

Libltdl interface: How to use libltdl in your programs.
Modules for libltdl: Creating modules that can be `dlopen'ed.
Thread Safety in libltdl: Registering callbacks for multi-thread safety.
User defined module data: Associating data with loaded modules.
Module loaders for libltdl: Creating user defined module loaders.
Distributing libltdl: How to distribute libltdl with your package.

Using libtool with other languages

C++ libraries

Troubleshooting

Libtool test suite: Libtool's self-tests.
Reporting bugs: How to report problems with libtool.

The libtool test suite

Test descriptions: The contents of the test suite.
When tests fail: What to do when a test fails.

Maintenance notes for libtool

New ports: How to port libtool to new systems.
Tested platforms: When libtool was last tested.
Platform quirks: Information about different library systems.
libtool script contents: Configuration information that libtool uses.
Cheap tricks: Making libtool maintainership easier.

Porting libtool to new systems

Information sources: Where to find relevant documentation
Porting inter-library dependencies: Implementation details explained

Platform quirks

References: Finding more information.
Compilers: Creating object files from source files.
Reloadable objects: Binding object files together.
Multiple dependencies: Removing duplicate dependant libraries.
Archivers: Programs that create static archives.

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