ARM Compiler toolchain Using the Linker - ARM Information Center

Features of the Base Platform linking model
11.3 Placement of PLT sequences with the Base Platform model
11.3.1 See also
The linker supports Procedure Linkage Table (PLT) generation for multiple load regions
containing code when in Base Platform mode (--base_platform).
To turn on PLT generation when in Base Platform mode use --pltgot=option that generates
PLT sequences. You can use the option --pltgot_opts=crosslr to add entries in the PLT for calls
between RELOC load-regions. PLT generation for multiple Load Regions is only supported for
--pltgot=direct.
The --pltgot_opts=crosslr option is useful when you have multiple load regions that might be
moved relative to each other when the image is dynamically loaded. The linker generates a PLT
for each load region so that calls do not have to be extended to reach a distant PLT.
Placement of linker generated PLT sections:
• When there is only one load region there is one PLT. The linker creates a section called
.plt with an object anon$$obj.o.
• When there are multiple load regions, a PLT section is created for each load region that
requires one. By default, the linker places the PLT section in the first execution region
containing code. You can override this by specifying the exact PLT section name in the
scatter file.
For example, a load region with name LR Name the PLT section is called .plt_LR_NAME with
an object of anon$$obj.o. To precisely name this PLT section in a scatter file, use the
selector:
anon$$obj.o(.plt_LR_NAME)
Be aware of the following:
• The linker gives an error message if the PLT for load region LR_NAME is moved out of load
region LR_NAME.
• The linker gives an error message if load region LR_NAME contains a mixture of RELOC and
non-RELOC execution regions. This is because it cannot guarantee that the RELOC execution
regions are able to reach the PLT at run-time.
• --pltgot=indirect and --pltgot=sbrel are not supported for multiple load regions.
Concepts
• Base Platform linking model on page 3-6.
Reference
Linker Reference:
• --base_platform on page 2-18
• --pltgot=type on page 2-121
• --pltgot_opts=mode on page 2-122.
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