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Re: [PATCH] PR ld/17975: Useless FILE entry in symbol table for linker generated symbols
- From: "H.J. Lu" <hjl dot tools at gmail dot com>
- To: Binutils <binutils at sourceware dot org>
- Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2015 18:27:44 -0800
- Subject: Re: [PATCH] PR ld/17975: Useless FILE entry in symbol table for linker generated symbols
- Authentication-results: sourceware.org; auth=none
- References: <20150215184602 dot GA25935 at gmail dot com> <20150216010455 dot GB4274 at bubble dot grove dot modra dot org> <CAMe9rOpZWO=VQFdaY1pDE5gnKk6ivAQ-OurH4DoOvPZnOVQ9Dw at mail dot gmail dot com> <20150216014744 dot GD4274 at bubble dot grove dot modra dot org>
On Sun, Feb 15, 2015 at 5:47 PM, Alan Modra <amodra@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, Feb 15, 2015 at 05:15:51PM -0800, H.J. Lu wrote:
>> On Sun, Feb 15, 2015 at 5:04 PM, Alan Modra <amodra@gmail.com> wrote:
>> > On Sun, Feb 15, 2015 at 10:46:02AM -0800, H.J. Lu wrote:
>> >> We output a NULL STT_FILE symbol for forced local symbols so that they
>> >> are not associated with the STT_FILE symbol for real local symbols. This
>> >> patch makes sure that the NULL STT_FILE symbol is placed before forced
>> >> local symbols. OK for trunk? I will update other expected outputs
>> >> after this patch has been checked in.
>> >
>> > Huh, silly me for not noticing that forced local symbols can currently
>> > be associated with the wrong file. Hmm, they do of course belong with
>> > a particular file. So...
>> >
>> > We could keep the file association, and do away with the NULL STT_FILE
>> > file symbol:
>> > - In elf_link_input_bfd, replace all calls to elf_link_output_sym
>> > with another function that buffers up local symbols to an array
>> > attached to the input bfd (I think outsymbols should be free for
>> > this use).
>> > - In bfd_elf_final_link, output the first all-zero symbol and section
>> > symbols, then follow that with a pass over globals emitting the
>> > forced-local symbols not associated with an input file (ie. those we
>> > currently output on the second pass), and buffering up other
>> > forced-local symbols to their input bfd. Then loop over input bfds
>> > emitting the buffered local symbols. An input bfd with locals but
>> > no initial STT_FILE symbol needs one to be added. An input bfd with
>> > more than one STT_FILE symbol (ie. specifying more than one source
>> > file) needs to have another STT_FILE symbol added before the
>> > forced-local globals.
>> > - Finally, output global symbols.
>> >
>> > How does that sound? Let me know if you're interested in implementing
>> > this. If not, I'll find time this week.
>> >
>>
>> There are a couple issues:
>>
>> 1. If the forced local symbols aren't sorted by input file, we may
>> generate many redundant STT_FILE symbols.
>
> No, because the above scheme buffers forced-local symbols to the
> input file that defines them.
>
>> 2. When the forced local symbols are sorted by input file, we still
>> generate one STT_FILE symbol per input file with forced local
>> symbols. We may wind with many STT_FILE symbols. You can
>> try it on glibc and libstdc++.
>
> Yes, you will get an extra STT_FILE symbol for objects that have more
> than one STT_FILE and forced-local globals.
>
>> In any case, how useful are they? Are they really needed?
>
> That's open to debate. :) If you have debug info, no.
>
I will buy a STT_FILE symbol for local symbols. I don't see
how useful it is for forced local symbols. It is one thing to
add one STT_FILE symbol for all forced local symbols. It
is another add to one STT_FILE symbol for each input file
with forced local symbols. Given that no one has complained
about the incorrect STT_FILE symbol for so far, I think we
should just keep one STT_FILE symbol for all forced local
symbols.
--
H.J.