ARM Compiler toolchain Using the Linker - ARM Information Center

10.2 Platforms supported by the BPABI
10.2.1 Linker support for the BPABI
10.2.2 Linker support for ARM Linux
10.2.3 See also
BPABI and SysV shared libraries and executables
The Base Platform Application Binary Interface (BPABI) defines three platform models based
on the type of shared library:
Bare metal The bare metal model is designed for an offline dynamic loader or a simple
module loader. References between modules are resolved by the loader directly
without any additional support structures.
DLL-like The dynamically linked library (DLL) like model sacrifices transparency between
the dynamic and static library in return for better load and run-time efficiency.
SysV The System V (SysV) model masks the differences between dynamic and static
libraries. ARM Linux uses this format.
The ARM linker supports all three BPABI models enabling you to link a collection of objects
and libraries into a:
• bare metal executable image
• BPABI DLL or SysV shared object
• BPABI or SysV executable file.
The linker can generate SysV executables and shared libraries with all required data for ARM
Linux. However, you must specify other command-line options and libraries in addition to the
--shared or --sysv options.
If all the correct input options and libraries are specified, you can use the ELF file without any
post-processing.
Tasks
Building Linux Applications with the ARM ® Compiler toolchain and GNU Libraries:
• Chapter 3 Using the ARM Compiler toolchain to build a Linux application or library.
Concepts
• About the Base Platform Application Binary Interface (BPABI) on page 10-3
• Concepts common to all BPABI models on page 10-5.
Reference
Linker Reference:
• --dll on page 2-49
• --shared on page 2-146
• --sysv on page 2-170.
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