* section.c (bfd_get_linker_section): New function.

	* elf32-arm.c: When retrieving SEC_LINKER_CREATED sections, use
	the above throughout rather than bfd_get_section_by_name.  Use
	bfd_make_section_anyway rather than bfd_make_section when creating
	them.
	* elf32-bfin.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-cr16.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-cris.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-frv.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-hppa.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-i370.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-i386.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-lm32.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-m32c.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-m32r.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-m68k.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-microblaze.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-ppc.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-rl78.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-s390.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-score.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-score7.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-sh.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-tic6x.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-tilepro.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-vax.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-xstormy16.c: Likewise.
	* elf32-xtensa.c: Likewise.
	* elf64-alpha.c: Likewise.
	* elf64-hppa.c: Likewise.
	* elf64-ia64-vms.c: Likewise.
	* elf64-ppc.c: Likewise.
	* elf64-s390.c: Likewise.
	* elf64-sh64.c: Likewise.
	* elf64-sparc.c: Likewise.
	* elf64-x86-64.c: Likewise.
	* elfnn-ia64.c: Likewise.
	* elfxx-mips.c: Likewise.
	* elfxx-sparc.c: Likewise.
	* elfxx-tilegx.c: Likewise.
	* elflink.c: Likewise.
	* elf-vxworks.c: Likewise.
	* elf-m10300.c: Likewise.  Also make use of htab plt, got and
	gotplt shortcuts.
	* bfd-in2.h: Regenerate.
	* elf32-lm32.c (lm32_elf_check_relocs): Use the correct bfd when
	calling create_rofixup_section.
	* elflink.c (bfd_elf_final_link): Simplify test for .dynstr.

42 files changed, 943 insertions, 880 deletions

diff --git a/bfd/ChangeLog b/bfd/ChangeLog
index 9ace5e6..6df9902 100644
--- a/bfd/ChangeLog
+++ b/bfd/ChangeLog
@@ -1,5 +1,56 @@
 2012-06-29  Alan Modra  <amodra@gmail.com>
 
+	* section.c (bfd_get_linker_section): New function.
+	* elf32-arm.c: When retrieving SEC_LINKER_CREATED sections, use
+	the above throughout rather than bfd_get_section_by_name.  Use
+	bfd_make_section_anyway rather than bfd_make_section when creating
+	them.
+	* elf32-bfin.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-cr16.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-cris.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-frv.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-hppa.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-i370.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-i386.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-lm32.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-m32c.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-m32r.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-m68k.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-microblaze.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-ppc.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-rl78.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-s390.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-score.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-score7.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-sh.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-tic6x.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-tilepro.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-vax.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-xstormy16.c: Likewise.
+	* elf32-xtensa.c: Likewise.
+	* elf64-alpha.c: Likewise.
+	* elf64-hppa.c: Likewise.
+	* elf64-ia64-vms.c: Likewise.
+	* elf64-ppc.c: Likewise.
+	* elf64-s390.c: Likewise.
+	* elf64-sh64.c: Likewise.
+	* elf64-sparc.c: Likewise.
+	* elf64-x86-64.c: Likewise.
+	* elfnn-ia64.c: Likewise.
+	* elfxx-mips.c: Likewise.
+	* elfxx-sparc.c: Likewise.
+	* elfxx-tilegx.c: Likewise.
+	* elflink.c: Likewise.
+	* elf-vxworks.c: Likewise.
+	* elf-m10300.c: Likewise.  Also make use of htab plt, got and
+	gotplt shortcuts.
+	* bfd-in2.h: Regenerate.
+	* elf32-lm32.c (lm32_elf_check_relocs): Use the correct bfd when
+	calling create_rofixup_section.
+	* elflink.c (bfd_elf_final_link): Simplify test for .dynstr.
+
+2012-06-29  Alan Modra  <amodra@gmail.com>
+
 	* elf32-sh.c (sh_elf_create_dynamic_sections): Don't create .rela
 	section for bss type sections, except for .rela.bss.
 	* elf-m10300.c (_bfd_mn10300_elf_create_dynamic_sections): Likewise.
diff --git a/bfd/bfd-in2.h b/bfd/bfd-in2.h
index 8798ae4..11f3e49 100644
--- a/bfd/bfd-in2.h
+++ b/bfd/bfd-in2.h
@@ -1707,6 +1707,8 @@ asection *bfd_get_section_by_name (bfd *abfd, const char *name);
 
 asection *bfd_get_next_section_by_name (asection *sec);
 
+asection *bfd_get_linker_section (bfd *abfd, const char *name);
+
 asection *bfd_get_section_by_name_if
    (bfd *abfd,
     const char *name,
diff --git a/bfd/elf-m10300.c b/bfd/elf-m10300.c
index ef3233a..709ea16 100644
--- a/bfd/elf-m10300.c
+++ b/bfd/elf-m10300.c
@@ -690,10 +690,12 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_create_got_section (bfd * abfd,
   asection * s;
   struct elf_link_hash_entry * h;
   const struct elf_backend_data * bed = get_elf_backend_data (abfd);
+  struct elf_link_hash_table *htab;
   int ptralign;
 
   /* This function may be called more than once.  */
-  if (bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got") != NULL)
+  htab = elf_hash_table (info);
+  if (htab->sgot != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
   switch (bed->s->arch_size)
@@ -721,7 +723,8 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_create_got_section (bfd * abfd,
   if (bed->plt_readonly)
     pltflags |= SEC_READONLY;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
+  htab->splt = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->plt_alignment))
     return FALSE;
@@ -732,19 +735,21 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_create_got_section (bfd * abfd,
     {
       h = _bfd_elf_define_linkage_sym (abfd, info, s,
 				       "_PROCEDURE_LINKAGE_TABLE_");
-      elf_hash_table (info)->hplt = h;
+      htab->hplt = h;
       if (h == NULL)
 	return FALSE;
     }
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
+  htab->sgot = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
     return FALSE;
 
   if (bed->want_got_plt)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
+      htab->sgotplt = s;
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -755,7 +760,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_create_got_section (bfd * abfd,
      because we don't want to define the symbol if we are not creating
      a global offset table.  */
   h = _bfd_elf_define_linkage_sym (abfd, info, s, "_GLOBAL_OFFSET_TABLE_");
-  elf_hash_table (info)->hgot = h;
+  htab->hgot = h;
   if (h == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
@@ -1160,24 +1165,22 @@ mn10300_elf_check_relocs (bfd *abfd,
 
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	      sgot = htab->root.sgot;
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	    }
 
 	  if (srelgot == NULL
 	      && (h != NULL || info->shared))
 	    {
-	      srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+	      srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 	      if (srelgot == NULL)
 		{
-		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-							 ".rela.got",
-							 (SEC_ALLOC
-							  | SEC_LOAD
-							  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-							  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-							  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-							  | SEC_READONLY));
+		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+				    | SEC_READONLY);
+		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+								".rela.got",
+								flags);
 		  if (srelgot == NULL
 		      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srelgot, 2))
 		    goto fail;
@@ -1669,8 +1672,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
 	return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
       /* Use global offset table as symbol value.  */
-      value = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj,
-				       ".got")->output_section->vma;
+      value = htab->root.sgot->output_section->vma;
       value -= (input_section->output_section->vma
 		+ input_section->output_offset);
       value -= offset;
@@ -1684,8 +1686,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
 	return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
       /* Use global offset table as symbol value.  */
-      value = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj,
-				       ".got")->output_section->vma;
+      value = htab->root.sgot->output_section->vma;
       value -= (input_section->output_section->vma
 		+ input_section->output_offset);
       value -= offset;
@@ -1701,8 +1702,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
       if (dynobj == NULL)
 	return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
-      value -= bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj,
-					".got")->output_section->vma;
+      value -= htab->root.sgot->output_section->vma;
       value += addend;
 
       bfd_put_32 (input_bfd, value, hit_data);
@@ -1712,8 +1712,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
       if (dynobj == NULL)
 	return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
-      value -= bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj,
-					".got")->output_section->vma;
+      value -= htab->root.sgot->output_section->vma;
       value += addend;
 
       if ((long) value > 0x7fffff || (long) value < -0x800000)
@@ -1728,8 +1727,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
       if (dynobj == NULL)
 	return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
-      value -= bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj,
-					".got")->output_section->vma;
+      value -= htab->root.sgot->output_section->vma;
       value += addend;
 
       if ((long) value > 0x7fff || (long) value < -0x8000)
@@ -1747,8 +1745,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
 	  if (dynobj == NULL)
 	    return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
-	  splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-
+	  splt = htab->root.splt;
 	  value = (splt->output_section->vma
 		   + splt->output_offset
 		   + h->plt.offset) - value;
@@ -1771,8 +1768,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
 	  if (dynobj == NULL)
 	    return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
-	  splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-
+	  splt = htab->root.splt;
 	  value = (splt->output_section->vma
 		   + splt->output_offset
 		   + h->plt.offset) - value;
@@ -1803,15 +1799,14 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
       if (dynobj == NULL)
 	return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-
+      sgot = htab->root.sgot;
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
       value = htab->tls_ldm_got.offset + sgot->output_offset;
       bfd_put_32 (input_bfd, value, hit_data);
 
       if (!htab->tls_ldm_got.rel_emitted)
 	{
-	  asection * srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+	  asection * srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 	  Elf_Internal_Rela rel;
 
 	  BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
@@ -1843,8 +1838,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
       if (dynobj == NULL)
 	return bfd_reloc_dangerous;
 
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-
+      sgot = htab->root.sgot;
       if (r_type == R_MN10300_TLS_GD)
 	value = dtpoff (info, value);
 
@@ -1892,7 +1886,7 @@ mn10300_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
 		  asection * srelgot;
 		  Elf_Internal_Rela outrel;
 
-		  srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+		  srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 		  BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 
 		  outrel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -3486,9 +3480,7 @@ mn10300_elf_relax_section (bfd *abfd,
 	    {
 	      asection * splt;
 
-	      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (elf_hash_table (link_info)
-					      ->dynobj, ".plt");
-
+	      splt = hash_table->root.splt;
 	      value = ((splt->output_section->vma
 			+ splt->output_offset
 			+ h->root.plt.offset)
@@ -3928,9 +3920,7 @@ mn10300_elf_relax_section (bfd *abfd,
 	    {
 	      asection * sgot;
 
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (elf_hash_table (link_info)
-					      ->dynobj, ".got");
-
+	      sgot = hash_table->root.sgot;
 	      if (ELF32_R_TYPE (irel->r_info) == (int) R_MN10300_GOT32)
 		{
 		  value = sgot->output_offset;
@@ -4810,6 +4800,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   flagword   flags;
   asection * s;
   const struct elf_backend_data * bed = get_elf_backend_data (abfd);
+  struct elf32_mn10300_link_hash_table *htab = elf32_mn10300_hash_table (info);
   int ptralign = 0;
 
   switch (bed->s->arch_size)
@@ -4832,10 +4823,11 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_IN_MEMORY
 	   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-				   (bed->default_use_rela_p
-				    ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt"),
-				   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+					  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+					   ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt"),
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  htab->root.srelplt = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
     return FALSE;
@@ -4851,8 +4843,8 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 image and use a R_*_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
 	 initialize them at run time.  The linker script puts the .dynbss
 	 section into the .bss section of the final image.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
-				       SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
+					      SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       if (s == NULL)
 	return FALSE;
 
@@ -4869,10 +4861,10 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 copy relocs.  */
       if (! info->shared)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-					   (bed->default_use_rela_p
-					    ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
-					   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+	  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+						  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+						   ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
+						  flags | SEC_READONLY);
 	  if (s == NULL
 	      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
 	    return FALSE;
@@ -4892,10 +4884,11 @@ static bfd_boolean
 _bfd_mn10300_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
 					struct elf_link_hash_entry * h)
 {
+  struct elf32_mn10300_link_hash_table *htab = elf32_mn10300_hash_table (info);
   bfd * dynobj;
   asection * s;
 
-  dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
+  dynobj = htab->root.dynobj;
 
   /* Make sure we know what is going on here.  */
   BFD_ASSERT (dynobj != NULL
@@ -4931,7 +4924,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
 	    return FALSE;
 	}
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      s = htab->root.splt;
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       /* If this is the first .plt entry, make room for the special
@@ -4958,12 +4951,12 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
 
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .got.plt section, which
 	 will be placed in the .got section by the linker script.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      s = htab->root.sgotplt;
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += 4;
 
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .rela.plt section.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
 
@@ -5007,7 +5000,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
      both the dynamic object and the regular object will refer to the
      same memory location for the variable.  */
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_MN10300_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -5018,7 +5011,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
     {
       asection * srel;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
@@ -5040,7 +5033,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd,
   bfd_boolean relocs;
   bfd_boolean reltext;
 
-  dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
+  dynobj = htab->root.dynobj;
   BFD_ASSERT (dynobj != NULL);
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
@@ -5048,7 +5041,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -5061,14 +5054,14 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd,
 	 not actually use these entries.  Reset the size of .rela.got,
 	 which will cause it to get stripped from the output file
 	 below.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = htab->root.sgot;
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = 0;
     }
 
   if (htab->tls_ldm_got.refcount > 0)
     {
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
     }
@@ -5211,9 +5204,10 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd * output_bfd,
 					struct elf_link_hash_entry * h,
 					Elf_Internal_Sym * sym)
 {
+  struct elf32_mn10300_link_hash_table *htab = elf32_mn10300_hash_table (info);
   bfd * dynobj;
 
-  dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
+  dynobj = htab->root.dynobj;
 
   if (h->plt.offset != (bfd_vma) -1)
     {
@@ -5229,9 +5223,9 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd * output_bfd,
 
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      splt = htab->root.splt;
+      sgot = htab->root.sgotplt;
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sgot != NULL && srel != NULL);
 
       /* Get the index in the procedure linkage table which
@@ -5308,8 +5302,8 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd * output_bfd,
       Elf_Internal_Rela rel;
 
       /* This symbol has an entry in the global offset table.  Set it up.  */
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = htab->root.sgot;
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL && srel != NULL);
 
       rel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -5386,8 +5380,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd * output_bfd,
 		  && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
 		      || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rel.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -5418,12 +5411,12 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd,
   bfd *      dynobj;
   asection * sgot;
   asection * sdyn;
+  struct elf32_mn10300_link_hash_table *htab = elf32_mn10300_hash_table (info);
 
-  dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
-
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  dynobj = htab->root.dynobj;
+  sgot = htab->root.sgotplt;
   BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
@@ -5488,7 +5481,7 @@ _bfd_mn10300_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd,
 	}
 
       /* Fill in the first entry in the procedure linkage table.  */
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = htab->root.splt;
       if (splt && splt->size > 0)
 	{
 	  if (info->shared)
diff --git a/bfd/elf-vxworks.c b/bfd/elf-vxworks.c
index 61253fa..11dfb10 100644
--- a/bfd/elf-vxworks.c
+++ b/bfd/elf-vxworks.c
@@ -91,12 +91,13 @@ elf_vxworks_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 
   if (!info->shared)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-				       bed->default_use_rela_p
-				       ? ".rela.plt.unloaded"
-				       : ".rel.plt.unloaded",
-				       SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-				       | SEC_READONLY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+					      bed->default_use_rela_p
+					      ? ".rela.plt.unloaded"
+					      : ".rel.plt.unloaded",
+					      SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					      | SEC_READONLY
+					      | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
 	return FALSE;
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-arm.c b/bfd/elf32-arm.c
index 4ac0a9d..7083422 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-arm.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-arm.c
@@ -3256,8 +3256,8 @@ create_ifunc_sections (struct bfd_link_info *info)
 
   if (htab->root.iplt == NULL)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".iplt",
-				       flags | SEC_READONLY | SEC_CODE);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".iplt",
+					      flags | SEC_READONLY | SEC_CODE);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, s, bed->plt_alignment))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -3266,8 +3266,9 @@ create_ifunc_sections (struct bfd_link_info *info)
 
   if (htab->root.irelplt == NULL)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, RELOC_SECTION (htab, ".iplt"),
-				       flags | SEC_READONLY);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+					      RELOC_SECTION (htab, ".iplt"),
+					      flags | SEC_READONLY);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -3276,7 +3277,7 @@ create_ifunc_sections (struct bfd_link_info *info)
 
   if (htab->root.igotplt == NULL)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".igot.plt", flags);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".igot.plt", flags);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -3304,10 +3305,10 @@ elf32_arm_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (!_bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj,
-					     RELOC_SECTION (htab, ".bss"));
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj,
+					    RELOC_SECTION (htab, ".bss"));
 
   if (htab->vxworks_p)
     {
@@ -5654,7 +5655,7 @@ arm_allocate_glue_section_space (bfd * abfd, bfd_size_type size, const char * na
       /* Do not include empty glue sections in the output.  */
       if (abfd != NULL)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, name);
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, name);
 	  if (s != NULL)
 	    s->flags |= SEC_EXCLUDE;
 	}
@@ -5663,7 +5664,7 @@ arm_allocate_glue_section_space (bfd * abfd, bfd_size_type size, const char * na
 
   BFD_ASSERT (abfd != NULL);
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, name);
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, name);
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   contents = (bfd_byte *) bfd_alloc (abfd, size);
@@ -5719,7 +5720,7 @@ record_arm_to_thumb_glue (struct bfd_link_info * link_info,
   BFD_ASSERT (globals != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner != NULL);
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section
     (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner, ARM2THUMB_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
 
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
@@ -5795,7 +5796,7 @@ record_arm_bx_glue (struct bfd_link_info * link_info, int reg)
   if (globals->bx_glue_offset[reg])
     return;
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section
     (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner, ARM_BX_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
 
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
@@ -5886,7 +5887,7 @@ record_vfp11_erratum_veneer (struct bfd_link_info *link_info,
   BFD_ASSERT (hash_table != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (hash_table->bfd_of_glue_owner != NULL);
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section
     (hash_table->bfd_of_glue_owner, VFP11_ERRATUM_VENEER_SECTION_NAME);
 
   sec_data = elf32_arm_section_data (s);
@@ -5993,12 +5994,12 @@ arm_make_glue_section (bfd * abfd, const char * name)
 {
   asection * sec;
 
-  sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, name);
+  sec = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, name);
   if (sec != NULL)
     /* Already made.  */
     return TRUE;
 
-  sec = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, name, ARM_GLUE_SECTION_FLAGS);
+  sec = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, name, ARM_GLUE_SECTION_FLAGS);
 
   if (sec == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, sec, 2))
@@ -7018,8 +7019,8 @@ elf32_thumb_to_arm_stub (struct bfd_link_info * info,
 
   my_offset = myh->root.u.def.value;
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner,
-			       THUMB2ARM_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner,
+			      THUMB2ARM_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
 
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (s->contents != NULL);
@@ -7208,8 +7209,8 @@ elf32_arm_to_thumb_stub (struct bfd_link_info * info,
   BFD_ASSERT (globals != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner != NULL);
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner,
-			       ARM2THUMB_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner,
+			      ARM2THUMB_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (s->contents != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (s->output_section != NULL);
@@ -7262,8 +7263,8 @@ elf32_arm_to_thumb_export_stub (struct elf_link_hash_entry *h, void * inf)
   BFD_ASSERT (globals != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner != NULL);
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner,
-			       ARM2THUMB_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner,
+			      ARM2THUMB_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (s->contents != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (s->output_section != NULL);
@@ -7297,8 +7298,8 @@ elf32_arm_bx_glue (struct bfd_link_info * info, int reg)
   BFD_ASSERT (globals != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner != NULL);
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner,
-			       ARM_BX_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (globals->bfd_of_glue_owner,
+			      ARM_BX_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (s->contents != NULL);
   BFD_ASSERT (s->output_section != NULL);
@@ -10885,7 +10886,7 @@ elf32_arm_output_glue_section (struct bfd_link_info *info, bfd *obfd,
 {
   asection *sec, *osec;
 
-  sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (ibfd, name);
+  sec = bfd_get_linker_section (ibfd, name);
   if (sec == NULL || (sec->flags & SEC_EXCLUDE) != 0)
     return TRUE;
 
@@ -13038,7 +13039,7 @@ elf32_arm_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
      determine the address it must put in the global offset table, so
      both the dynamic object and the regular object will refer to the
      same memory location for the variable.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_ARM_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -13049,7 +13050,7 @@ elf32_arm_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
     {
       asection *srel;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, RELOC_SECTION (globals, ".bss"));
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, RELOC_SECTION (globals, ".bss"));
       elf32_arm_allocate_dynrelocs (info, srel, 1);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
     }
@@ -13491,7 +13492,7 @@ elf32_arm_size_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -14023,7 +14024,7 @@ elf32_arm_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info * info
      Catch this here so that we do not seg-fault later on.  */
   if (sgot != NULL && bfd_is_abs_section (sgot->output_section))
     return FALSE;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
@@ -14808,8 +14809,8 @@ elf32_arm_output_arch_local_syms (bfd *output_bfd,
   /* ARM->Thumb glue.  */
   if (htab->arm_glue_size > 0)
     {
-      osi.sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (htab->bfd_of_glue_owner,
-					 ARM2THUMB_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
+      osi.sec = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->bfd_of_glue_owner,
+					ARM2THUMB_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
 
       osi.sec_shndx = _bfd_elf_section_from_bfd_section
 	  (output_bfd, osi.sec->output_section);
@@ -14831,8 +14832,8 @@ elf32_arm_output_arch_local_syms (bfd *output_bfd,
   /* Thumb->ARM glue.  */
   if (htab->thumb_glue_size > 0)
     {
-      osi.sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (htab->bfd_of_glue_owner,
-					 THUMB2ARM_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
+      osi.sec = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->bfd_of_glue_owner,
+					THUMB2ARM_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
 
       osi.sec_shndx = _bfd_elf_section_from_bfd_section
 	  (output_bfd, osi.sec->output_section);
@@ -14848,8 +14849,8 @@ elf32_arm_output_arch_local_syms (bfd *output_bfd,
   /* ARMv4 BX veneers.  */
   if (htab->bx_glue_size > 0)
     {
-      osi.sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (htab->bfd_of_glue_owner,
-					 ARM_BX_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
+      osi.sec = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->bfd_of_glue_owner,
+					ARM_BX_GLUE_SECTION_NAME);
 
       osi.sec_shndx = _bfd_elf_section_from_bfd_section
 	  (output_bfd, osi.sec->output_section);
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-bfin.c b/bfd/elf32-bfin.c
index c7f634b..4947039 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-bfin.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-bfin.c
@@ -1224,20 +1224,21 @@ bfin_check_relocs (bfd * abfd,
 
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	    }
 
 	  if (srelgot == NULL && (h != NULL || info->shared))
 	    {
-	      srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+	      srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 	      if (srelgot == NULL)
 		{
 		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
 				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
 				    | SEC_READONLY);
-		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".rela.got",
-							 flags);
+		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+								".rela.got",
+								flags);
 		  if (srelgot == NULL
 		      || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srelgot, 2))
 		    return FALSE;
@@ -1483,7 +1484,7 @@ bfin_relocate_section (bfd * output_bfd,
 
 	    if (sgot == NULL)
 	      {
-		sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+		sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 		BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	      }
 
@@ -1547,7 +1548,7 @@ bfin_relocate_section (bfd * output_bfd,
 			Elf_Internal_Rela outrel;
 			bfd_byte *loc;
 
-			s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+			s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 			BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
 			outrel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -1676,8 +1677,8 @@ bfin_gc_sweep_hook (bfd * abfd,
   sym_hashes = elf_sym_hashes (abfd);
   local_got_refcounts = elf_local_got_refcounts (abfd);
 
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 
   relend = relocs + sec->reloc_count;
   for (rel = relocs; rel < relend; rel++)
@@ -3387,8 +3388,8 @@ _bfin_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   int ptralign;
 
   /* This function may be called more than once.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
-  if (s != NULL && (s->flags & SEC_LINKER_CREATED) != 0)
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
+  if (s != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
   /* Machine specific: although pointers are 32-bits wide, we want the
@@ -3401,14 +3402,14 @@ _bfin_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
   pltflags = flags;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
     return FALSE;
 
   if (bed->want_got_plt)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -3446,8 +3447,8 @@ _bfin_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       if (! bfinfdpic_relocs_info (info))
 	return FALSE;
 
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rel.got",
-				       (flags | SEC_READONLY));
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rel.got",
+					      (flags | SEC_READONLY));
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 2))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -3455,8 +3456,8 @@ _bfin_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       bfinfdpic_gotrel_section (info) = s;
 
       /* Machine-specific.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rofixup",
-				       (flags | SEC_READONLY));
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rofixup",
+					      (flags | SEC_READONLY));
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 2))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -3470,7 +3471,7 @@ _bfin_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (bed->plt_readonly)
     pltflags |= SEC_READONLY;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->plt_alignment))
     return FALSE;
@@ -3497,7 +3498,8 @@ _bfin_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     }
 
   /* Blackfin-specific: we want rel relocations for the plt.  */
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rel.plt", flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rel.plt",
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
     return FALSE;
@@ -3543,27 +3545,27 @@ elf32_bfinfdpic_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 image and use a R_*_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
 	 initialize them at run time.  The linker script puts the .dynbss
 	 section into the .bss section of the final image.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
-				       SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
+					      SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       if (s == NULL)
 	return FALSE;
 
       /* The .rel[a].bss section holds copy relocs.  This section is not
-     normally needed.  We need to create it here, though, so that the
-     linker will map it to an output section.  We can't just create it
-     only if we need it, because we will not know whether we need it
-     until we have seen all the input files, and the first time the
-     main linker code calls BFD after examining all the input files
-     (size_dynamic_sections) the input sections have already been
-     mapped to the output sections.  If the section turns out not to
-     be needed, we can discard it later.  We will never need this
-     section when generating a shared object, since they do not use
-     copy relocs.  */
+	 normally needed.  We need to create it here, though, so that the
+	 linker will map it to an output section.  We can't just create it
+	 only if we need it, because we will not know whether we need it
+	 until we have seen all the input files, and the first time the
+	 main linker code calls BFD after examining all the input files
+	 (size_dynamic_sections) the input sections have already been
+	 mapped to the output sections.  If the section turns out not to
+	 be needed, we can discard it later.  We will never need this
+	 section when generating a shared object, since they do not use
+	 copy relocs.  */
       if (! info->shared)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-					   ".rela.bss",
-					   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+	  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+						  ".rela.bss",
+						  flags | SEC_READONLY);
 	  if (s == NULL
 	      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
 	    return FALSE;
@@ -4246,7 +4248,7 @@ elf32_bfinfdpic_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (bfd_byte *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -4296,11 +4298,11 @@ elf32_bfinfdpic_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 	  return FALSE;
     }
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (s && s->size == 0)
     s->flags |= SEC_EXCLUDE;
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
   if (s && s->size == 0)
     s->flags |= SEC_EXCLUDE;
 
@@ -4546,7 +4548,7 @@ elf32_bfinfdpic_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 		      * sizeof (Elf32_External_Rel)));
     }
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
@@ -5218,7 +5220,7 @@ bfin_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
@@ -5263,8 +5265,8 @@ bfin_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd * output_bfd,
       /* This symbol has an entry in the global offset table.
          Set it up.  */
 
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+      srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL && srela != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -5376,7 +5378,7 @@ bfin_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
      both the dynamic object and the regular object will refer to the
      same memory location for the variable.  */
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_68K_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -5387,7 +5389,7 @@ bfin_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
     {
       asection *srel;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
@@ -5495,7 +5497,7 @@ bfin_size_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -5508,7 +5510,7 @@ bfin_size_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
          not actually use these entries.  Reset the size of .rela.got,
          which will cause it to get stripped from the output file
          below.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = 0;
     }
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-cr16.c b/bfd/elf32-cr16.c
index 9d1106e..97fa569 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-cr16.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-cr16.c
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_create_got_section (bfd * abfd, struct bfd_link_info * info)
   int ptralign;
 
   /* This function may be called more than once.  */
-  if (bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got") != NULL)
+  if (bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got") != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
   switch (bed->s->arch_size)
@@ -606,14 +606,14 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_create_got_section (bfd * abfd, struct bfd_link_info * info)
   flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_IN_MEMORY
            | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
     return FALSE;
 
   if (bed->want_got_plt)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
       if (s == NULL
           || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
         return FALSE;
@@ -752,24 +752,22 @@ cr16_elf_check_relocs (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info, asection *sec,
 
           if (sgot == NULL)
             {
-              sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+              sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
               BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
             }
 
           if (srelgot == NULL
               && (h != NULL || info->executable))
             {
-              srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+              srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
               if (srelgot == NULL)
-                {
-                  srelgot = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-                                                         ".rela.got",
-                                                         (SEC_ALLOC
-                                                          | SEC_LOAD
-                                                          | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-                                                          | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-                                                          | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-                                                          | SEC_READONLY));
+                { 
+		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+				    | SEC_READONLY);
+		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+								".rela.got",
+								flags);
                   if (srelgot == NULL
                       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srelgot, 2))
                     goto fail;
@@ -1047,7 +1045,7 @@ cr16_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
           }
         else if (r_type == R_CR16_GOT_REGREL20) 
           {
-            asection * sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+            asection * sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 
             if (h != NULL)
               {
@@ -1096,7 +1094,7 @@ cr16_elf_final_link_relocate (reloc_howto_type *howto,
         else if (r_type == R_CR16_GOTC_REGREL20)
           {
              asection * sgot;
-             sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+             sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 
              if (h != NULL)
                {
@@ -2278,10 +2276,10 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_IN_MEMORY
            | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-                                   (bed->default_use_rela_p
-                                    ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt"),
-                                   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+					  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+					   ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt"),
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
     return FALSE;
@@ -2297,8 +2295,8 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
          image and use a R_*_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
          initialize them at run time.  The linker script puts the .dynbss
          section into the .bss section of the final image.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
-                                       SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
+					      SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       if (s == NULL)
         return FALSE;
 
@@ -2315,10 +2313,10 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
          copy relocs.  */
       if (! info->executable)
         {
-          s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-                                           (bed->default_use_rela_p
-                                            ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
-                                           flags | SEC_READONLY);
+          s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+						  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+						   ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
+						  flags | SEC_READONLY);
           if (s == NULL
               || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
             return FALSE;
@@ -2380,13 +2378,13 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .got.plt section, which
          will be placed in the .got section by the linker script.  */
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += 4;
 
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .rela.plt section.  */
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
 
@@ -2430,7 +2428,7 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
      both the dynamic object and the regular object will refer to the
      same memory location for the variable.  */
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_CR16_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -2441,7 +2439,7 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info * info,
     {
       asection * srel;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
@@ -2471,7 +2469,7 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd,
       if (info->executable)
         {
 #if 0
-          s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+          s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
           BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
           s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
           s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -2485,7 +2483,7 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd,
          not actually use these entries.  Reset the size of .rela.got,
          which will cause it to get stripped from the output file
          below.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       if (s != NULL)
         s->size = 0;
     }
@@ -2640,8 +2638,8 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd * output_bfd,
 
       /* This symbol has an entry in the global offset table.  Set it up.  */
 
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL && srel != NULL);
 
       rel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -2685,8 +2683,7 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd * output_bfd,
                   && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
                       || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-                                   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rel.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -2720,9 +2717,9 @@ _bfd_cr16_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd * output_bfd,
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
   BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-cris.c b/bfd/elf32-cris.c
index 58e430e..f1f060b 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-cris.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-cris.c
@@ -1065,8 +1065,8 @@ cris_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
   if (dynobj != NULL)
     {
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
     }
 
   for (rel = relocs; rel < relend; rel ++)
@@ -1204,7 +1204,7 @@ cris_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	      && ((struct elf_cris_link_hash_entry *) h)->gotplt_offset != 0)
 	    {
 	      asection *sgotplt
-		= bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+		= bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
 	      bfd_vma got_offset;
 
 	      BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
@@ -1336,7 +1336,7 @@ cris_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
 			if (srelgot == NULL)
 			  srelgot
-			    = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+			    = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 			BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 
 			outrel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -1652,7 +1652,7 @@ cris_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	  if (htab->dtpmod_refcount > 0
 	      && (input_section->flags & SEC_ALLOC) != 0)
 	    {
-	      asection *sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+	      asection *sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgotplt != NULL);
 
 	      if (info->shared)
@@ -1661,7 +1661,7 @@ cris_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 		  bfd_byte *loc;
 
 		  if (srelgot == NULL)
-		    srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+		    srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 		  BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 		  loc = srelgot->contents;
 		  loc += srelgot->reloc_count++ * sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
@@ -1805,7 +1805,7 @@ cris_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 		  bfd_put_32 (output_bfd, 0, sgot->contents + off + 4);
 
 		  if (srelgot == NULL)
-		    srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+		    srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 		  BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 
 		  if (h != NULL && h->dynindx != -1)
@@ -1937,7 +1937,7 @@ cris_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 		    local_got_offsets[r_symndx] |= 1;
 
 		  if (srelgot == NULL)
-		    srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+		    srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 		  BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 
 		  if (h != NULL && h->dynindx != -1)
@@ -2193,9 +2193,9 @@ elf_cris_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
 
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-      sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-      srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+      sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sgotplt != NULL
 		  && (! has_gotplt || srela != NULL));
 
@@ -2292,8 +2292,8 @@ elf_cris_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
 
       /* This symbol has an entry in the global offset table.  Set it up.  */
 
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+      srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL && srela != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -2338,8 +2338,7 @@ elf_cris_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
 		  && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
 		      || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -2374,16 +2373,16 @@ elf_cris_finish_dynamic_sections (output_bfd, info)
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
   BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
       asection *splt;
       Elf32_External_Dyn *dyncon, *dynconend;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       dyncon = (Elf32_External_Dyn *) sdyn->contents;
@@ -2561,8 +2560,8 @@ cris_elf_gc_sweep_hook (bfd *abfd,
   sym_hashes = elf_sym_hashes (abfd);
   local_got_refcounts = elf_local_got_refcounts (abfd);
 
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 
   relend = relocs + sec->reloc_count;
   for (rel = relocs; rel < relend; rel++)
@@ -2819,8 +2818,8 @@ elf_cris_adjust_gotplt_to_got (h, p)
       asection *srelgot;
 
       BFD_ASSERT (dynobj != NULL);
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+      srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 
       /* Put accurate refcounts there.  */
       h->root.got.refcount += h->gotplt_refcount;
@@ -2998,7 +2997,7 @@ elf_cris_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
 	    return FALSE;
 	}
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       /* If this is the first .plt entry, make room for the special
@@ -3057,13 +3056,13 @@ elf_cris_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
 	= htab->next_gotplt_entry;
       htab->next_gotplt_entry += 4;
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += 4;
 
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .rela.plt section.  */
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
 
@@ -3111,7 +3110,7 @@ elf_cris_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
      both the dynamic object and the regular object will refer to the
      same memory location for the variable.  */
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_CRIS_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -3122,7 +3121,7 @@ elf_cris_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
     {
       asection *srel;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
@@ -3313,7 +3312,7 @@ cris_elf_check_relocs (bfd *abfd,
 	    }
 
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
-	    sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	    sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 
 	  if (local_got_refcounts == NULL)
 	    {
@@ -3373,17 +3372,15 @@ cris_elf_check_relocs (bfd *abfd,
 	  if (srelgot == NULL
 	      && (h != NULL || info->shared))
 	    {
-	      srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+	      srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 	      if (srelgot == NULL)
 		{
-		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-							 ".rela.got",
-							 (SEC_ALLOC
-							  | SEC_LOAD
-							  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-							  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-							  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-							  | SEC_READONLY));
+		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+				    | SEC_READONLY);
+		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+								".rela.got",
+								flags);
 		  if (srelgot == NULL
 		      || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srelgot, 2))
 		    return FALSE;
@@ -3829,7 +3826,7 @@ elf_cris_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3846,7 +3843,7 @@ elf_cris_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	 not actually use these entries.  Reset the size of .rela.got,
 	 which will cause it to get stripped from the output file
 	 below.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = 0;
     }
@@ -4086,7 +4083,7 @@ elf_cris_discard_excess_program_dynamics (h, inf)
 
 	  BFD_ASSERT (dynobj != NULL);
 
-	  srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+	  srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 
 	  BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-frv.c b/bfd/elf32-frv.c
index 05e9c58..7f60583 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-frv.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-frv.c
@@ -4234,8 +4234,8 @@ _frv_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   int offset;
 
   /* This function may be called more than once.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
-  if (s != NULL && (s->flags & SEC_LINKER_CREATED) != 0)
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
+  if (s != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
   /* Machine specific: although pointers are 32-bits wide, we want the
@@ -4248,14 +4248,14 @@ _frv_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
   pltflags = flags;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
     return FALSE;
 
   if (bed->want_got_plt)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -4293,8 +4293,8 @@ _frv_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       if (! frvfdpic_relocs_info (info))
 	return FALSE;
 
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rel.got",
-				       (flags | SEC_READONLY));
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rel.got",
+					      (flags | SEC_READONLY));
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 2))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -4302,8 +4302,8 @@ _frv_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       frvfdpic_gotrel_section (info) = s;
 
       /* Machine-specific.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rofixup",
-				       (flags | SEC_READONLY));
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rofixup",
+					      (flags | SEC_READONLY));
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 2))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -4351,7 +4351,7 @@ _frv_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (bed->plt_readonly)
     pltflags |= SEC_READONLY;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->plt_alignment))
     return FALSE;
@@ -4370,8 +4370,8 @@ _frv_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     }
 
   /* FRV-specific: we want rel relocations for the plt.  */
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rel.plt",
-				   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rel.plt",
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
     return FALSE;
@@ -4418,8 +4418,8 @@ elf32_frvfdpic_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 image and use a R_*_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
 	 initialize them at run time.  The linker script puts the .dynbss
 	 section into the .bss section of the final image.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
-				       SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
+					      SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       if (s == NULL)
 	return FALSE;
 
@@ -4436,10 +4436,10 @@ elf32_frvfdpic_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
      copy relocs.  */
       if (! info->shared)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-					   (bed->default_use_rela_p
-					    ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
-					   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+	  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+						  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+						   ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
+						  flags | SEC_READONLY);
 	  if (s == NULL
 	      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
 	    return FALSE;
@@ -5504,7 +5504,7 @@ elf32_frvfdpic_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (bfd_byte *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -5913,7 +5913,7 @@ elf32_frvfdpic_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       Elf32_External_Dyn * dyncon;
       Elf32_External_Dyn * dynconend;
 
-      sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+      sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
       BFD_ASSERT (sdyn != NULL);
 
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-hppa.c b/bfd/elf32-hppa.c
index 8d86cb8..dc3053c 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-hppa.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-hppa.c
@@ -1005,14 +1005,14 @@ elf32_hppa_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (! _bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (abfd, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".plt");
-  htab->srelplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rela.plt");
+  htab->splt = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".plt");
+  htab->srelplt = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rela.plt");
 
-  htab->sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
-  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rela.got");
+  htab->sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
+  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rela.got");
 
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynbss");
-  htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rela.bss");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynbss");
+  htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rela.bss");
 
   /* hppa-linux needs _GLOBAL_OFFSET_TABLE_ to be visible from the main
      application, because __canonicalize_funcptr_for_compare needs it.  */
@@ -2225,7 +2225,7 @@ elf32_hppa_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  if (sec == NULL)
 	    abort ();
 	  sec->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -4506,7 +4506,7 @@ elf32_hppa_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
   if (sgot != NULL && bfd_is_abs_section (sgot->output_section))
     return FALSE;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->etab.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-i370.c b/bfd/elf32-i370.c
index 4d1d037..5998db7 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-i370.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-i370.c
@@ -420,23 +420,23 @@ i370_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_IN_MEMORY
 	   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynsbss",
-				   SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynsbss",
+					  SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
   if (s == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
   if (! info->shared)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.sbss",
-				       flags | SEC_READONLY);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.sbss",
+					      flags | SEC_READONLY);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 2))
 	return FALSE;
     }
 
    /* XXX beats me, seem to need a rela.text ...  */
-   s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.text",
-				    flags | SEC_READONLY);
+   s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.text",
+					   flags | SEC_READONLY);
    if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 2))
     return FALSE;
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ i370_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
 		      && h->ref_regular
 		      && !h->def_regular)));
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.text");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.text");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
   s->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
 
@@ -513,9 +513,9 @@ i370_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
      only if there were actually SDAREL relocs for that symbol.  */
 
   if (h->size <= elf_gp_size (dynobj))
-    s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynsbss");
+    s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynsbss");
   else
-    s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+    s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_I370_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -527,9 +527,9 @@ i370_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
       asection *srel;
 
       if (h->size <= elf_gp_size (dynobj))
-	srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.sbss");
+	srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.sbss");
       else
-	srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+	srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
@@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ i370_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ i370_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
       for (p = rela_sections; *p != NULL; p++)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, *p);
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, *p);
 	  if (s != NULL)
 	    s->size = 0;
 	}
@@ -869,20 +869,20 @@ i370_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 {
   asection *sdyn;
   bfd *dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
-  asection *sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+  asection *sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 
 #ifdef DEBUG
   fprintf (stderr, "i370_elf_finish_dynamic_sections called\n");
 #endif
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
       asection *splt;
       Elf32_External_Dyn *dyncon, *dynconend;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       dyncon = (Elf32_External_Dyn *) sdyn->contents;
@@ -945,7 +945,7 @@ i370_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
       /* Set up the section symbols for the output sections.  */
 
-      sdynsym = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynsym");
+      sdynsym = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynsym");
       BFD_ASSERT (sdynsym != NULL);
 
       sym.st_size = 0;
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-i386.c b/bfd/elf32-i386.c
index 6aa386d..7d3652d 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-i386.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-i386.c
@@ -1001,9 +1001,9 @@ elf_i386_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (htab == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rel.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rel.bss");
 
   if (!htab->sdynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->srelbss))
@@ -2559,7 +2559,7 @@ elf_i386_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  if (s == NULL)
 	    abort ();
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -4662,7 +4662,7 @@ elf_i386_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
     return FALSE;
 
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
   abed = get_elf_i386_backend_data (output_bfd);
 
   if (htab->elf.dynamic_sections_created)
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-lm32.c b/bfd/elf32-lm32.c
index 461dbb8..8d530a4 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-lm32.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-lm32.c
@@ -217,8 +217,8 @@ create_got_section (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   asection *s;
 
   /* This function may be called more than once.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  if (s != NULL && (s->flags & SEC_LINKER_CREATED) != 0)
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  if (s != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
   htab = lm32_elf_hash_table (info);
@@ -228,9 +228,9 @@ create_got_section (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (! _bfd_elf_create_got_section (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  htab->sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
   if (! htab->sgot || ! htab->sgotplt || ! htab->srelgot)
     abort ();
 
@@ -250,16 +250,18 @@ create_rofixup_section (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Fixup section for R_LM32_32 relocs.  */
-  lm32fdpic_fixup32_section (info) = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-                                                                   ".rofixup",
-				                                   (SEC_ALLOC
-                                                                   | SEC_LOAD
-                                                                   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-                                                                   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-	                                                           | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-                                                                   | SEC_READONLY));
+  lm32fdpic_fixup32_section (info)
+    = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+					  ".rofixup",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC
+					   | SEC_LOAD
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+					   | SEC_READONLY));
   if (lm32fdpic_fixup32_section (info) == NULL
-      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, lm32fdpic_fixup32_section (info), 2))
+      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj,
+				      lm32fdpic_fixup32_section (info), 2))
     return FALSE;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -1031,7 +1033,8 @@ lm32_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd,
 
                           /* We need to generate a R_LM32_RELATIVE reloc
                              for the dynamic linker.  */
-                          srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+                          srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj,
+							    ".rela.got");
                           BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 
                           outrel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -1346,7 +1349,7 @@ lm32_elf_check_relocs (bfd *abfd,
               /* Create .rofixup section */
               if (htab->sfixup32 == NULL)
                 {
-                  if (! create_rofixup_section (abfd, info))
+                  if (! create_rofixup_section (dynobj, info))
                     return FALSE;
                 }
               break;
@@ -1356,7 +1359,9 @@ lm32_elf_check_relocs (bfd *abfd,
               /* Create .rofixup section.  */
               if (htab->sfixup32 == NULL)
                 {
-                  if (! create_rofixup_section (abfd, info))
+		  if (dynobj == NULL)
+		    htab->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
+                  if (! create_rofixup_section (dynobj, info))
                     return FALSE;
                 }
               break;
@@ -1427,7 +1432,7 @@ lm32_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
   dynobj = htab->root.dynobj;
 
   sgot = htab->sgotplt;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->root.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
@@ -1725,8 +1730,7 @@ lm32_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
                   && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
                       || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-                                   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->root.dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -2139,7 +2143,7 @@ lm32_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -2483,7 +2487,7 @@ lm32_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (bed->plt_readonly)
     pltflags |= SEC_READONLY;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
   htab->splt = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->plt_alignment))
@@ -2511,9 +2515,10 @@ lm32_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
         return FALSE;
     }
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-				   bed->default_use_rela_p ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt",
-				   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+					  bed->default_use_rela_p
+					  ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt",
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
   htab->srelplt = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
@@ -2531,8 +2536,8 @@ lm32_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
          image and use a R_*_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
          initialize them at run time.  The linker script puts the .dynbss
          section into the .bss section of the final image.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
-				       SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
+					      SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       htab->sdynbss = s;
       if (s == NULL)
         return FALSE;
@@ -2549,10 +2554,10 @@ lm32_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
          copy relocs.  */
       if (! info->shared)
         {
-          s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-					   (bed->default_use_rela_p
-					    ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
-					   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+          s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+						  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+						   ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
+						  flags | SEC_READONLY);
           htab->srelbss = s;
           if (s == NULL
               || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-m32c.c b/bfd/elf32-m32c.c
index e11a2e57..6c4352d 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-m32c.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-m32c.c
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ m32c_elf_relocate_section
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
   splt = NULL;
   if (dynobj != NULL)
-    splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+    splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 
   for (rel = relocs; rel < relend; rel ++)
     {
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ m32c_elf_check_relocs
 	    elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 	  if (splt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+	      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 	      if (splt == NULL)
 		{
 		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
@@ -692,7 +692,7 @@ m32c_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
      been filled in.  */
 
   if ((dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj) != NULL
-      && (splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt")) != NULL)
+      && (splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt")) != NULL)
     {
       bfd_byte *contents = splt->contents;
       unsigned int i, size = splt->size;
@@ -720,7 +720,7 @@ m32c_elf_always_size_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
   if (dynobj == NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
-  splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+  splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
   BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL);
 
   splt->contents = (bfd_byte *) bfd_zalloc (dynobj, splt->size);
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-m32r.c b/bfd/elf32-m32r.c
index 275daeb..e3e3bb0 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-m32r.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-m32r.c
@@ -1625,9 +1625,9 @@ create_got_section (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (htab == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  htab->sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
   if (! htab->sgot || ! htab->sgotplt || ! htab->srelgot)
     abort ();
 
@@ -1661,7 +1661,7 @@ m32r_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (bed->plt_readonly)
     pltflags |= SEC_READONLY;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
   htab->splt = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->plt_alignment))
@@ -1689,9 +1689,10 @@ m32r_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
         return FALSE;
     }
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-				   bed->default_use_rela_p ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt",
-				   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+					  bed->default_use_rela_p
+					  ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt",
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
   htab->srelplt = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
@@ -1709,8 +1710,8 @@ m32r_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
          image and use a R_*_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
          initialize them at run time.  The linker script puts the .dynbss
          section into the .bss section of the final image.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
-				       SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
+					      SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       htab->sdynbss = s;
       if (s == NULL)
         return FALSE;
@@ -1727,10 +1728,10 @@ m32r_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
          copy relocs.  */
       if (! info->shared)
         {
-          s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-					   (bed->default_use_rela_p
-					    ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
-					   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+          s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+						  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+						   ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
+						  flags | SEC_READONLY);
           htab->srelbss = s;
           if (s == NULL
               || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
@@ -2176,7 +2177,7 @@ m32r_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -2788,7 +2789,8 @@ m32r_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
                           /* We need to generate a R_M32R_RELATIVE reloc
                              for the dynamic linker.  */
-                          srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+                          srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj,
+							    ".rela.got");
                           BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 
                           outrel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -3278,8 +3280,7 @@ m32r_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
                   && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
                       || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-                                   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->root.dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -3324,7 +3325,7 @@ m32r_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
   dynobj = htab->root.dynobj;
 
   sgot = htab->sgotplt;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->root.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-m68k.c b/bfd/elf32-m68k.c
index 1cb03ae..9df60ac 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-m68k.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-m68k.c
@@ -2468,7 +2468,7 @@ elf_m68k_partition_multi_got (struct bfd_link_info *info)
     {
       asection *s;
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj, ".got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj, ".got");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = arg_.offset;
       else
@@ -2477,7 +2477,7 @@ elf_m68k_partition_multi_got (struct bfd_link_info *info)
       BFD_ASSERT (arg_.slots_relas_diff <= arg_.n_slots);
       arg_.n_slots -= arg_.slots_relas_diff;
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj, ".rela.got");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = arg_.n_slots * sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
       else
@@ -2675,24 +2675,22 @@ elf_m68k_check_relocs (abfd, info, sec, relocs)
 
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	    }
 
 	  if (srelgot == NULL
 	      && (h != NULL || info->shared))
 	    {
-	      srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+	      srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 	      if (srelgot == NULL)
 		{
-		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-							 ".rela.got",
-							 (SEC_ALLOC
-							  | SEC_LOAD
-							  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-							  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-							  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-							  | SEC_READONLY));
+		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+				    | SEC_READONLY);
+		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+								".rela.got",
+								flags);
 		  if (srelgot == NULL
 		      || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srelgot, 2))
 		    return FALSE;
@@ -3182,7 +3180,7 @@ elf_m68k_adjust_dynamic_symbol (info, h)
 	    return FALSE;
 	}
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       /* If this is the first .plt entry, make room for the special
@@ -3209,12 +3207,12 @@ elf_m68k_adjust_dynamic_symbol (info, h)
 
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .got.plt section, which
 	 will be placed in the .got section by the linker script.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += 4;
 
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .rela.plt section.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
 
@@ -3262,7 +3260,7 @@ elf_m68k_adjust_dynamic_symbol (info, h)
      both the dynamic object and the regular object will refer to the
      same memory location for the variable.  */
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_68K_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -3273,7 +3271,7 @@ elf_m68k_adjust_dynamic_symbol (info, h)
     {
       asection *srel;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
@@ -3302,7 +3300,7 @@ elf_m68k_size_dynamic_sections (output_bfd, info)
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3315,7 +3313,7 @@ elf_m68k_size_dynamic_sections (output_bfd, info)
 	 not actually use these entries.  Reset the size of .rela.got,
 	 which will cause it to get stripped from the output file
 	 below.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = 0;
     }
@@ -3746,7 +3744,7 @@ elf_m68k_relocate_section (output_bfd, info, input_bfd, input_section,
 
 		  if (sgot == NULL)
 		    {
-		      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+		      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 
 		      if (sgot != NULL)
 			sgot_output_offset = sgot->output_offset;
@@ -3821,7 +3819,7 @@ elf_m68k_relocate_section (output_bfd, info, input_bfd, input_section,
 
 	    if (sgot == NULL)
 	      {
-		sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+		sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 		BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	      }
 
@@ -3892,7 +3890,7 @@ elf_m68k_relocate_section (output_bfd, info, input_bfd, input_section,
 		  {
 		    if (srela == NULL)
 		      {
-			srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+			srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 			BFD_ASSERT (srela != NULL);
 		      }
 
@@ -3996,7 +3994,7 @@ elf_m68k_relocate_section (output_bfd, info, input_bfd, input_section,
 
 	  if (splt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+	      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL);
 	    }
 
@@ -4015,7 +4013,7 @@ elf_m68k_relocate_section (output_bfd, info, input_bfd, input_section,
 
 	  if (splt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+	      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL);
 	    }
 
@@ -4296,9 +4294,9 @@ elf_m68k_finish_dynamic_symbol (output_bfd, info, h, sym)
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
       plt_info = elf_m68k_hash_table (info)->plt_info;
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-      srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sgot != NULL && srela != NULL);
 
       /* Get the index in the procedure linkage table which
@@ -4363,8 +4361,8 @@ elf_m68k_finish_dynamic_symbol (output_bfd, info, h, sym)
       /* This symbol has an entry in the global offset table.  Set it
 	 up.  */
 
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+      srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL && srela != NULL);
 
       got_entry = elf_m68k_hash_entry (h)->glist;
@@ -4487,8 +4485,7 @@ elf_m68k_finish_dynamic_symbol (output_bfd, info, h, sym)
 		  && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
 		      || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -4516,16 +4513,16 @@ elf_m68k_finish_dynamic_sections (output_bfd, info)
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
   BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
       asection *splt;
       Elf32_External_Dyn *dyncon, *dynconend;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       dyncon = (Elf32_External_Dyn *) sdyn->contents;
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-microblaze.c b/bfd/elf32-microblaze.c
index abe2861..27b569e 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-microblaze.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-microblaze.c
@@ -1875,13 +1875,13 @@ create_got_section (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (htab == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  htab->sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
   if (!htab->sgot || !htab->sgotplt)
     return FALSE;
 
-  if (!(htab->srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got")))
-    htab->srelgot = bfd_make_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  if ((htab->srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got")) == NULL)
+    htab->srelgot = bfd_make_section_anyway (dynobj, ".rela.got");
   if (htab->srelgot == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_flags (dynobj, htab->srelgot, SEC_ALLOC
                                   | SEC_LOAD
@@ -2080,18 +2080,19 @@ microblaze_elf_check_relocs (bfd * abfd,
 		      htab->elf.dynobj = abfd;
 		    dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
 
-		    sreloc = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, name);
+		    sreloc = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, name);
 		    if (sreloc == NULL)
 		      {
 			flagword flags;
 
-			sreloc = bfd_make_section (dynobj, name);
 			flags = (SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_READONLY
 				 | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
 			if ((sec->flags & SEC_ALLOC) != 0)
 			  flags |= SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD;
+			sreloc = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+								     name,
+								     flags);
 			if (sreloc == NULL
-			    || ! bfd_set_section_flags (dynobj, sreloc, flags)
 			    || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, sreloc, 2))
 			  return FALSE;
 		      }
@@ -2167,11 +2168,11 @@ microblaze_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (!_bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-  htab->srelplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+  htab->srelplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (!htab->splt || !htab->srelplt || !htab->sdynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->srelbss))
@@ -2868,8 +2869,7 @@ microblaze_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
 
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-                                   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->elf.dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -2907,14 +2907,14 @@ microblaze_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->elf.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
       asection *splt;
       Elf32_External_Dyn *dyncon, *dynconend;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       dyncon = (Elf32_External_Dyn *) sdyn->contents;
@@ -2969,7 +2969,7 @@ microblaze_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
   /* Set the first entry in the global offset table to the address of
      the dynamic section.  */
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
   if (sgot && sgot->size > 0)
     {
       if (sdyn == NULL)
@@ -3005,7 +3005,7 @@ microblaze_elf_add_symbol_hook (bfd *abfd,
     {
       /* Common symbols less than or equal to -G nn bytes are automatically
 	 put into .sbss.  */
-      *secp = bfd_make_section_anyway (abfd, ".sbss");
+      *secp = bfd_make_section_old_way (abfd, ".sbss");
       if (*secp == NULL
           || ! bfd_set_section_flags (abfd, *secp, SEC_IS_COMMON))
         return FALSE;
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-ppc.c b/bfd/elf32-ppc.c
index 98f1aa8..3d0a2d9 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-ppc.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-ppc.c
@@ -3209,13 +3209,13 @@ ppc_elf_create_got (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   htab = ppc_elf_hash_table (info);
-  htab->got = s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
+  htab->got = s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
   if (s == NULL)
     abort ();
 
   if (htab->is_vxworks)
     {
-      htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got.plt");
+      htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got.plt");
       if (!htab->sgotplt)
 	abort ();
     }
@@ -3229,7 +3229,7 @@ ppc_elf_create_got (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	return FALSE;
     }
 
-  htab->relgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rela.got");
+  htab->relgot = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rela.got");
   if (!htab->relgot)
     abort ();
 
@@ -3303,7 +3303,7 @@ ppc_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       && !ppc_elf_create_glink (abfd, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->dynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynbss");
+  htab->dynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynbss");
   s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynsbss",
 					  SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
   htab->dynsbss = s;
@@ -3312,7 +3312,7 @@ ppc_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 
   if (! info->shared)
     {
-      htab->relbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rela.bss");
+      htab->relbss = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rela.bss");
       flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_READONLY | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
 	       | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.sbss", flags);
@@ -3326,8 +3326,8 @@ ppc_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       && !elf_vxworks_create_dynamic_sections (abfd, info, &htab->srelplt2))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->relplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rela.plt");
-  htab->plt = s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".plt");
+  htab->relplt = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rela.plt");
+  htab->plt = s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".plt");
   if (s == NULL)
     abort ();
 
@@ -6004,7 +6004,7 @@ ppc_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (htab->elf.dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->elf.dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -9240,9 +9240,9 @@ ppc_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
   htab = ppc_elf_hash_table (info);
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
   if (htab->is_vxworks)
-    splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+    splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
   else
     splt = NULL;
 
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-rl78.c b/bfd/elf32-rl78.c
index c454e5f..62b1371 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-rl78.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-rl78.c
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ rl78_elf_relocate_section
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
   splt = NULL;
   if (dynobj != NULL)
-    splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+    splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 
   for (rel = relocs; rel < relend; rel ++)
     {
@@ -1208,13 +1208,14 @@ rl78_elf_check_relocs
 	    elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 	  if (splt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+	      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 	      if (splt == NULL)
 		{
 		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
 				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
 				    | SEC_READONLY | SEC_CODE);
-		  splt = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".plt", flags);
+		  splt = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".plt",
+							     flags);
 		  if (splt == NULL
 		      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, splt, 1))
 		    return FALSE;
@@ -1272,7 +1273,7 @@ rl78_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
   if (info->relax_trip > 0)
     {
       if ((dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj) != NULL
-	  && (splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt")) != NULL)
+	  && (splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt")) != NULL)
 	{
 	  bfd_byte *contents = splt->contents;
 	  unsigned int i, size = splt->size;
@@ -1301,7 +1302,7 @@ rl78_elf_always_size_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
   if (dynobj == NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
-  splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+  splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
   BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL);
 
   splt->contents = (bfd_byte *) bfd_zalloc (dynobj, splt->size);
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-s390.c b/bfd/elf32-s390.c
index 8b90c8c..63eb971 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-s390.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-s390.c
@@ -846,9 +846,9 @@ create_got_section (dynobj, info)
     return FALSE;
 
   htab = elf_s390_hash_table (info);
-  htab->elf.sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  htab->elf.sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-  htab->elf.srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  htab->elf.sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  htab->elf.sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  htab->elf.srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
   if (!htab->elf.sgot || !htab->elf.sgotplt || !htab->elf.srelgot)
     abort ();
 
@@ -873,11 +873,11 @@ elf_s390_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info)
   if (!_bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->elf.splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-  htab->elf.srelplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->elf.splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+  htab->elf.srelplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (!htab->elf.splt || !htab->elf.srelplt || !htab->sdynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->srelbss))
@@ -1975,7 +1975,7 @@ elf_s390_size_dynamic_sections (output_bfd, info)
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  if (s == NULL)
 	    abort ();
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3359,7 +3359,7 @@ elf_s390_finish_dynamic_sections (output_bfd, info)
 
   htab = elf_s390_hash_table (info);
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->elf.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-score.c b/bfd/elf32-score.c
index eb3002e..01a602b 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-score.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-score.c
@@ -1066,7 +1066,7 @@ score_elf_sort_hash_table_f (struct score_elf_link_hash_entry *h, void *data)
 static asection *
 score_elf_got_section (bfd *abfd, bfd_boolean maybe_excluded)
 {
-  asection *sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
+  asection *sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
 
   if (sgot == NULL || (! maybe_excluded && (sgot->flags & SEC_EXCLUDE) != 0))
     return NULL;
@@ -1247,16 +1247,16 @@ score_elf_rel_dyn_section (bfd *dynobj, bfd_boolean create_p)
   static const char dname[] = ".rel.dyn";
   asection *sreloc;
 
-  sreloc = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, dname);
+  sreloc = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, dname);
   if (sreloc == NULL && create_p)
     {
-      sreloc = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, dname,
-                                            (SEC_ALLOC
-                                             | SEC_LOAD
-                                             | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-                                             | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-                                             | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-                                             | SEC_READONLY));
+      sreloc = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, dname,
+						   (SEC_ALLOC
+						    | SEC_LOAD
+						    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+						    | SEC_READONLY));
       if (sreloc == NULL
           || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, sreloc,
                                           SCORE_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (dynobj)))
@@ -1429,7 +1429,7 @@ score_elf_create_got_section (bfd *abfd,
 
   /* We have to use an alignment of 2**4 here because this is hardcoded
      in the function stub generation and in the linker script.  */
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
    if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 4))
     return FALSE;
@@ -3123,7 +3123,7 @@ s3_bfd_score_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
       if (!h->def_regular)
         {
           /* We need .stub section.  */
-          s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME);
+          s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME);
           BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
           h->root.u.def.section = s;
@@ -3259,7 +3259,7 @@ s3_bfd_score_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *i
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (!info->shared)
         {
-          s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+          s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
           BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
           s->size = strlen (ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER) + 1;
           s->contents = (bfd_byte *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3417,7 +3417,7 @@ s3_bfd_score_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
            | SEC_LINKER_CREATED | SEC_READONLY);
 
   /* ABI requests the .dynamic section to be read only.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynamic");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynamic");
   if (s != NULL)
     {
       if (!bfd_set_section_flags (abfd, s, flags))
@@ -3432,10 +3432,10 @@ s3_bfd_score_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Create .stub section.  */
-  if (bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME) == NULL)
+  if (bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME) == NULL)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME,
-                                       flags | SEC_CODE);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME,
+					      flags | SEC_CODE);
       if (s == NULL
           || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 2))
 
@@ -3489,7 +3489,7 @@ s3_bfd_score_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* This symbol has a stub.  Set it up.  */
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME);
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME);
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       /* FIXME: Can h->dynindex be more than 64K?  */
@@ -3568,7 +3568,7 @@ s3_bfd_score_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   sgot = score_elf_got_section (dynobj, FALSE);
   if (sgot == NULL)
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-score7.c b/bfd/elf32-score7.c
index 7ec774a..3615a1e 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-score7.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-score7.c
@@ -948,7 +948,7 @@ score_elf_sort_hash_table_f (struct score_elf_link_hash_entry *h, void *data)
 static asection *
 score_elf_got_section (bfd *abfd, bfd_boolean maybe_excluded)
 {
-  asection *sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
+  asection *sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
 
   if (sgot == NULL || (! maybe_excluded && (sgot->flags & SEC_EXCLUDE) != 0))
     return NULL;
@@ -1103,16 +1103,16 @@ score_elf_rel_dyn_section (bfd *dynobj, bfd_boolean create_p)
   static const char dname[] = ".rel.dyn";
   asection *sreloc;
 
-  sreloc = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, dname);
+  sreloc = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, dname);
   if (sreloc == NULL && create_p)
     {
-      sreloc = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, dname,
-                                            (SEC_ALLOC
-                                             | SEC_LOAD
-                                             | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-                                             | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-                                             | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-                                             | SEC_READONLY));
+      sreloc = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, dname,
+						   (SEC_ALLOC
+						    | SEC_LOAD
+						    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+						    | SEC_READONLY));
       if (sreloc == NULL
           || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, sreloc,
                                           SCORE_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (dynobj)))
@@ -1286,7 +1286,7 @@ score_elf_create_got_section (bfd *abfd,
 
   /* We have to use an alignment of 2**4 here because this is hardcoded
      in the function stub generation and in the linker script.  */
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
    if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 4))
     return FALSE;
@@ -2928,7 +2928,7 @@ s7_bfd_score_elf_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
       if (!h->def_regular)
         {
           /* We need .stub section.  */
-          s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME);
+          s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME);
           BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
           h->root.u.def.section = s;
@@ -3066,7 +3066,7 @@ s7_bfd_score_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *i
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (!info->shared)
         {
-          s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+          s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
           BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
           s->size = strlen (ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER) + 1;
           s->contents = (bfd_byte *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3224,7 +3224,7 @@ s7_bfd_score_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
            | SEC_LINKER_CREATED | SEC_READONLY);
 
   /* ABI requests the .dynamic section to be read only.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynamic");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynamic");
   if (s != NULL)
     {
       if (!bfd_set_section_flags (abfd, s, flags))
@@ -3239,10 +3239,10 @@ s7_bfd_score_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Create .stub section.  */
-  if (bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME) == NULL)
+  if (bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME) == NULL)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME,
-                                       flags | SEC_CODE);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME,
+					      flags | SEC_CODE);
       if (s == NULL
           || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 2))
 
@@ -3297,7 +3297,7 @@ s7_bfd_score_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* This symbol has a stub.  Set it up.  */
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME);
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, SCORE_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME);
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       /* FIXME: Can h->dynindex be more than 64K?  */
@@ -3377,7 +3377,7 @@ s7_bfd_score_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   sgot = score_elf_got_section (dynobj, FALSE);
   if (sgot == NULL)
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-sh.c b/bfd/elf32-sh.c
index c33995a..cbd00aa 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-sh.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-sh.c
@@ -2622,39 +2622,39 @@ create_got_section (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (htab == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  htab->sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
   if (! htab->sgot || ! htab->sgotplt || ! htab->srelgot)
     abort ();
 
-  htab->sfuncdesc = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".got.funcdesc",
-						 (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-						  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-						  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-						  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+  htab->sfuncdesc = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".got.funcdesc",
+							(SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+							 | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+							 | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+							 | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
   if (htab->sfuncdesc == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, htab->sfuncdesc, 2))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->srelfuncdesc = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-						    ".rela.got.funcdesc",
-						    (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-						     | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-						     | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-						     | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-						     | SEC_READONLY));
+  htab->srelfuncdesc = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+							   ".rela.got.funcdesc",
+							   (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+							    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+							    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+							    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+							    | SEC_READONLY));
   if (htab->srelfuncdesc == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, htab->srelfuncdesc, 2))
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Also create .rofixup.  */
-  htab->srofixup = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".rofixup",
-						(SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-						 | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-						 | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-						 | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-						 | SEC_READONLY));
+  htab->srofixup = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".rofixup",
+						       (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+							| SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+							| SEC_IN_MEMORY
+							| SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+							| SEC_READONLY));
   if (htab->srofixup == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, htab->srofixup, 2))
     return FALSE;
@@ -2708,7 +2708,7 @@ sh_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (bed->plt_readonly)
     pltflags |= SEC_READONLY;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
   htab->splt = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->plt_alignment))
@@ -2737,9 +2737,10 @@ sh_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	return FALSE;
     }
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-				   bed->default_use_rela_p ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt",
-				   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+					  bed->default_use_rela_p
+					  ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt",
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
   htab->srelplt = s;
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
@@ -2757,8 +2758,8 @@ sh_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 image and use a R_*_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
 	 initialize them at run time.  The linker script puts the .dynbss
 	 section into the .bss section of the final image.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
-				       SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
+					      SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       htab->sdynbss = s;
       if (s == NULL)
 	return FALSE;
@@ -2776,10 +2777,10 @@ sh_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 copy relocs.  */
       if (! info->shared)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-					   (bed->default_use_rela_p
-					    ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
-					   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+	  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+						  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+						   ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
+						  flags | SEC_READONLY);
 	  htab->srelbss = s;
 	  if (s == NULL
 	      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
@@ -3417,7 +3418,7 @@ sh_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -4672,8 +4673,8 @@ sh_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 
 		      if (srelgot == NULL)
 			{
-			  srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj,
-							     ".rela.got");
+			  srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj,
+							    ".rela.got");
 			  BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 			}
 
@@ -4994,7 +4995,7 @@ sh_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 
 		if (srelgot == NULL)
 		  {
-		    srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+		    srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 		    BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 		  }
 
@@ -5284,7 +5285,7 @@ sh_elf_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 
 	      if (srelgot == NULL)
 		{
-		  srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+		  srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 		  BFD_ASSERT (srelgot != NULL);
 		}
 
@@ -7141,8 +7142,7 @@ sh_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 		  && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
 		      || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->root.dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rel.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -7178,7 +7178,7 @@ sh_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   sgotplt = htab->sgotplt;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (htab->root.dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->root.dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->root.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-tic6x.c b/bfd/elf32-tic6x.c
index 1aec028..dbe2c16 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-tic6x.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-tic6x.c
@@ -1670,9 +1670,9 @@ elf32_tic6x_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, htab->elf.splt, 5))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (!htab->sdynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->srelbss))
@@ -1849,8 +1849,8 @@ elf32_tic6x_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd * output_bfd,
       /* This symbol has an entry in the global offset table.
          Set it up.  */
 
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+      srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL && srela != NULL);
 
       /* If this is a -Bsymbolic link, and the symbol is defined
@@ -3305,7 +3305,7 @@ elf32_tic6x_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  if (s == NULL)
 	    abort ();
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3607,7 +3607,7 @@ elf32_tic6x_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
   htab = elf32_tic6x_hash_table (info);
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-tilepro.c b/bfd/elf32-tilepro.c
index 899abdd..fa883e1 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-tilepro.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-tilepro.c
@@ -1224,8 +1224,8 @@ tilepro_elf_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   struct elf_link_hash_table *htab = elf_hash_table (info);
 
   /* This function may be called more than once.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
-  if (s != NULL && (s->flags & SEC_LINKER_CREATED) != 0)
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
+  if (s != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
   flags = bed->dynamic_sec_flags;
@@ -1297,9 +1297,9 @@ tilepro_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj,
   if (!_bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (!htab->elf.splt || !htab->elf.srelplt || !htab->sdynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->srelbss))
@@ -2427,7 +2427,7 @@ tilepro_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF32_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF32_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3775,8 +3775,7 @@ tilepro_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* This symbols needs a copy reloc.  Set it up.  */
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = htab->srelbss;
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -3851,14 +3850,14 @@ tilepro_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
   BFD_ASSERT (htab != NULL);
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
       asection *splt;
       bfd_boolean ret;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = htab->elf.splt;
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       ret = tilepro_finish_dyn (output_bfd, info, dynobj, sdyn, splt);
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-vax.c b/bfd/elf32-vax.c
index 5b86329..befcfeb 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-vax.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-vax.c
@@ -613,24 +613,23 @@ elf_vax_check_relocs (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info, asection *sec,
 
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	    }
 
 	  if (srelgot == NULL
 	      && (h != NULL || info->shared))
 	    {
-	      srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+	      srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 	      if (srelgot == NULL)
 		{
-		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-							 ".rela.got",
-							 (SEC_ALLOC
-							  | SEC_LOAD
-							  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-							  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-							  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-							  | SEC_READONLY));
+		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+				    | SEC_READONLY);
+
+		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+								".rela.got",
+								flags);
 		  if (srelgot == NULL
 		      || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srelgot, 2))
 		    return FALSE;
@@ -967,7 +966,7 @@ elf_vax_adjust_dynamic_symbol (info, h)
 	    return FALSE;
 	}
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       /* If this is the first .plt entry, make room for the special
@@ -997,13 +996,13 @@ elf_vax_adjust_dynamic_symbol (info, h)
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .got.plt section, which
 	 will be placed in the .got section by the linker script.  */
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += 4;
 
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .rela.plt section.  */
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
 
@@ -1046,7 +1045,7 @@ elf_vax_adjust_dynamic_symbol (info, h)
      both the dynamic object and the regular object will refer to the
      same memory location for the variable.  */
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_VAX_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -1057,7 +1056,7 @@ elf_vax_adjust_dynamic_symbol (info, h)
     {
       asection *srel;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf32_External_Rela);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
@@ -1085,7 +1084,7 @@ elf_vax_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -1098,13 +1097,13 @@ elf_vax_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 not actually use these entries.  Reset the size of .rela.got
 	 and .got, which will cause it to get stripped from the output
 	 file below.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = 0;
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = 0;
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = 0;
     }
@@ -1299,8 +1298,8 @@ elf_vax_instantiate_got_entries (struct elf_link_hash_entry *h, PTR infoptr)
   if (dynobj == NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 
   if (!elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created
       || (info->shared && info->symbolic)
@@ -1470,7 +1469,7 @@ elf_vax_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd,
 
 	    if (sgot == NULL)
 	      {
-		sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+		sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 		BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	      }
 
@@ -1546,13 +1545,13 @@ elf_vax_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd,
 
 	  if (splt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+	      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL);
 	    }
 
 	  if (sgotplt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+	      sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgotplt != NULL);
 	    }
 
@@ -1808,9 +1807,9 @@ elf_vax_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 	 it up.  */
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-      srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sgot != NULL && srela != NULL);
 
       addend = 2 * (h->plt.offset & 1);
@@ -1872,8 +1871,8 @@ elf_vax_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 
       /* This symbol has an entry in the global offset table.  Set it
 	 up.  */
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srela = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+      srela = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL && srela != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -1914,8 +1913,7 @@ elf_vax_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 		  && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
 		      || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -1946,16 +1944,16 @@ elf_vax_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
   BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
       asection *splt;
       Elf32_External_Dyn *dyncon, *dynconend;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       dyncon = (Elf32_External_Dyn *) sdyn->contents;
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-xstormy16.c b/bfd/elf32-xstormy16.c
index d6a48bf..c657b84 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-xstormy16.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-xstormy16.c
@@ -456,18 +456,15 @@ xstormy16_elf_check_relocs (bfd *abfd,
 	    elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 	  if (splt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+	      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 	      if (splt == NULL)
 		{
-		  splt = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".plt",
-						      (SEC_ALLOC
-						       | SEC_LOAD
-						       | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-						       | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-						       | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-						       | SEC_READONLY
-						       | SEC_CODE));
+		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+				    | SEC_READONLY | SEC_CODE);
 
+		  splt = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".plt",
+							     flags);
 		  if (splt == NULL
 		      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, splt, 1))
 		    return FALSE;
@@ -719,7 +716,7 @@ xstormy16_elf_always_size_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
   if (dynobj == NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
-  splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+  splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
   BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL);
 
   splt->contents = bfd_zalloc (dynobj, splt->size);
@@ -783,7 +780,7 @@ xstormy16_elf_relocate_section (bfd *                   output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNU
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
   splt = NULL;
   if (dynobj != NULL)
-    splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+    splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 
   for (rel = relocs; rel < relend; rel ++)
     {
@@ -973,7 +970,7 @@ xstormy16_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
      been filled in.  */
 
   if ((dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj) != NULL
-      && (splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt")) != NULL)
+      && (splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt")) != NULL)
     {
       bfd_byte *contents = splt->contents;
       unsigned int i, size = splt->size;
diff --git a/bfd/elf32-xtensa.c b/bfd/elf32-xtensa.c
index c6c9c12..2de9480 100644
--- a/bfd/elf32-xtensa.c
+++ b/bfd/elf32-xtensa.c
@@ -1414,11 +1414,11 @@ elf_xtensa_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   /* First do all the standard stuff.  */
   if (! _bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
-  htab->splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-  htab->srelplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
-  htab->sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  htab->splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+  htab->srelplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+  htab->sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  htab->sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  htab->srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 
   /* Create any extra PLT sections in case check_relocs has already
      been called on all the non-dynamic input files.  */
@@ -1435,14 +1435,15 @@ elf_xtensa_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Create ".got.loc" (literal tables for use by dynamic linker).  */
-  htab->sgotloc = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".got.loc", flags);
+  htab->sgotloc = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".got.loc",
+						      flags);
   if (htab->sgotloc == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, htab->sgotloc, 2))
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Create ".xt.lit.plt" (literal table for ".got.plt*").  */
-  htab->spltlittbl = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".xt.lit.plt",
-						  noalloc_flags);
+  htab->spltlittbl = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".xt.lit.plt",
+							 noalloc_flags);
   if (htab->spltlittbl == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, htab->spltlittbl, 2))
     return FALSE;
@@ -1474,14 +1475,14 @@ add_extra_plt_sections (struct bfd_link_info *info, int count)
 
       sname = (char *) bfd_malloc (10);
       sprintf (sname, ".plt.%u", chunk);
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, sname, flags | SEC_CODE);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, sname, flags | SEC_CODE);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, s, 2))
 	return FALSE;
 
       sname = (char *) bfd_malloc (14);
       sprintf (sname, ".got.plt.%u", chunk);
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, sname, flags);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, sname, flags);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, s, 2))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -1636,7 +1637,7 @@ elf_xtensa_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  if (s == NULL)
 	    abort ();
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3275,7 +3276,7 @@ elf_xtensa_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
     return FALSE;
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
   BFD_ASSERT (sdyn != NULL);
 
   /* Set the first entry in the global offset table to the address of
@@ -10275,7 +10276,7 @@ elf_xtensa_get_plt_section (struct bfd_link_info *info, int chunk)
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
   sprintf (plt_name, ".plt.%u", chunk);
-  return bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, plt_name);
+  return bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, plt_name);
 }
 
 
@@ -10296,7 +10297,7 @@ elf_xtensa_get_gotplt_section (struct bfd_link_info *info, int chunk)
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
   sprintf (got_name, ".got.plt.%u", chunk);
-  return bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, got_name);
+  return bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, got_name);
 }
 
 
@@ -10675,7 +10676,7 @@ xtensa_callback_required_dependence (bfd *abfd,
 
       /* Find the corresponding ".got.plt*" section.  */
       if (sec->name[4] == '\0')
-	sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (sec->owner, ".got.plt");
+	sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (sec->owner, ".got.plt");
       else
 	{
 	  char got_name[14];
@@ -10685,7 +10686,7 @@ xtensa_callback_required_dependence (bfd *abfd,
 	  chunk = strtol (&sec->name[5], NULL, 10);
 
 	  sprintf (got_name, ".got.plt.%u", chunk);
-	  sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (sec->owner, got_name);
+	  sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (sec->owner, got_name);
 	}
       BFD_ASSERT (sgotplt);
 
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-alpha.c b/bfd/elf64-alpha.c
index c8d76a0..2378622 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-alpha.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-alpha.c
@@ -2103,7 +2103,7 @@ elf64_alpha_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
     {
       h->needs_plt = TRUE;
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name(dynobj, ".plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       if (!s && !elf64_alpha_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
 	return FALSE;
 
@@ -2589,7 +2589,7 @@ elf64_alpha_size_plt_section (struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return;
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table(info)->dynobj;
-  splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+  splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
   if (splt == NULL)
     return;
 
@@ -2599,7 +2599,7 @@ elf64_alpha_size_plt_section (struct bfd_link_info *info)
 				elf64_alpha_size_plt_section_1, splt);
 
   /* Every plt entry requires a JMP_SLOT relocation.  */
-  spltrel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+  spltrel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
   entries = 0;
   if (splt->size)
     {
@@ -2615,7 +2615,7 @@ elf64_alpha_size_plt_section (struct bfd_link_info *info)
      entire contents of the .got.plt section.  */
   if (elf64_alpha_use_secureplt)
     {
-      sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       sgotplt->size = entries ? 16 : 0;
     }
 }
@@ -2774,7 +2774,7 @@ elf64_alpha_size_rela_got_1 (struct alpha_elf_link_hash_entry *h,
   if (entries > 0)
     {
       bfd *dynobj = elf_hash_table(info)->dynobj;
-      asection *srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      asection *srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf64_External_Rela) * entries;
     }
@@ -2824,7 +2824,7 @@ elf64_alpha_size_rela_got_section (struct bfd_link_info *info)
     }
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table(info)->dynobj;
-  srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
   if (!srel)
     {
       BFD_ASSERT (entries == 0);
@@ -2860,7 +2860,7 @@ elf64_alpha_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -4155,7 +4155,7 @@ elf64_alpha_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
   if (dynobj)
-    srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+    srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
   else
     srelgot = NULL;
 
@@ -4166,7 +4166,7 @@ elf64_alpha_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 		      (input_bfd, elf_elfheader(input_bfd)->e_shstrndx,
 		       _bfd_elf_single_rel_hdr (input_section)->sh_name));
       BFD_ASSERT(section_name != NULL);
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, section_name);
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, section_name);
     }
   else
     srel = NULL;
@@ -4782,9 +4782,9 @@ elf64_alpha_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL);
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
 
       for (gotent = ah->got_entries; gotent ; gotent = gotent->next)
@@ -4854,7 +4854,7 @@ elf64_alpha_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
       asection *srel;
       struct alpha_elf_got_entry *gotent;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
 
       for (gotent = ((struct alpha_elf_link_hash_entry *) h)->got_entries;
@@ -4919,7 +4919,7 @@ elf64_alpha_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
   asection *sdyn;
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
@@ -4927,8 +4927,8 @@ elf64_alpha_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       Elf64_External_Dyn *dyncon, *dynconend;
       bfd_vma plt_vma, gotplt_vma;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-      srelaplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (output_bfd, ".rela.plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+      srelaplt = bfd_get_linker_section (output_bfd, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       plt_vma = splt->output_section->vma + splt->output_offset;
@@ -4936,7 +4936,7 @@ elf64_alpha_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       gotplt_vma = 0;
       if (elf64_alpha_use_secureplt)
 	{
-	  sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+	  sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (sgotplt != NULL);
 	  if (sgotplt->size > 0)
 	    gotplt_vma = sgotplt->output_section->vma + sgotplt->output_offset;
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-hppa.c b/bfd/elf64-hppa.c
index 6087fe5..62efef3 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-hppa.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-hppa.c
@@ -416,16 +416,16 @@ get_reloc_section (bfd *abfd,
   if (!dynobj)
     hppa_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-  srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, srel_name);
+  srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, srel_name);
   if (srel == NULL)
     {
-      srel = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, srel_name,
-					  (SEC_ALLOC
-					   | SEC_LOAD
-					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-					   | SEC_READONLY));
+      srel = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, srel_name,
+						 (SEC_ALLOC
+						  | SEC_LOAD
+						  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+						  | SEC_READONLY));
       if (srel == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srel, 3))
 	return FALSE;
@@ -1157,12 +1157,12 @@ get_opd (bfd *abfd,
       if (!dynobj)
 	hppa_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-      opd = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".opd",
-					 (SEC_ALLOC
-					  | SEC_LOAD
-					  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+      opd = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".opd",
+						(SEC_ALLOC
+						 | SEC_LOAD
+						 | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						 | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						 | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
       if (!opd
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, opd, 3))
 	{
@@ -1193,12 +1193,12 @@ get_plt (bfd *abfd,
       if (!dynobj)
 	hppa_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-      plt = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".plt",
-					 (SEC_ALLOC
-					  | SEC_LOAD
-					  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+      plt = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".plt",
+						(SEC_ALLOC
+						 | SEC_LOAD
+						 | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						 | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						 | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
       if (!plt
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, plt, 3))
 	{
@@ -1229,12 +1229,12 @@ get_dlt (bfd *abfd,
       if (!dynobj)
 	hppa_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-      dlt = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".dlt",
-					 (SEC_ALLOC
-					  | SEC_LOAD
-					  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+      dlt = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".dlt",
+						(SEC_ALLOC
+						 | SEC_LOAD
+						 | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						 | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						 | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
       if (!dlt
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, dlt, 3))
 	{
@@ -1265,12 +1265,12 @@ get_stub (bfd *abfd,
       if (!dynobj)
 	hppa_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-      stub = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".stub",
-					  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					   | SEC_READONLY
-					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+      stub = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".stub",
+						 (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+						  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						  | SEC_READONLY
+						  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
       if (!stub
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, stub, 3))
 	{
@@ -1345,45 +1345,45 @@ elf64_hppa_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd,
   if (! get_opd (abfd, info, hppa_info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.dlt",
-				   (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-				    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-				    | SEC_READONLY
-				    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.dlt",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_READONLY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 3))
     return FALSE;
   hppa_info->dlt_rel_sec = s;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.plt",
-				   (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-				    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-				    | SEC_READONLY
-				    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.plt",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_READONLY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 3))
     return FALSE;
   hppa_info->plt_rel_sec = s;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.data",
-				   (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-				    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-				    | SEC_READONLY
-				    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.data",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_READONLY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 3))
     return FALSE;
   hppa_info->other_rel_sec = s;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.opd",
-				   (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-				    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-				    | SEC_READONLY
-				    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.opd",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_READONLY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 3))
     return FALSE;
@@ -1562,7 +1562,7 @@ elf64_hppa_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (sec != NULL);
 	  sec->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  sec->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -1575,7 +1575,7 @@ elf64_hppa_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 not actually use these entries.  Reset the size of .rela.dlt,
 	 which will cause it to get stripped from the output file
 	 below.  */
-      sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.dlt");
+      sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.dlt");
       if (sec != NULL)
 	sec->size = 0;
     }
@@ -2492,7 +2492,7 @@ elf64_hppa_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 			  elf64_hppa_finalize_dlt,
 			  info);
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-ia64-vms.c b/bfd/elf64-ia64-vms.c
index 152ce32..ef78374 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-ia64-vms.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-ia64-vms.c
@@ -1270,12 +1270,13 @@ elf64_ia64_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd,
 
   flags = bed->dynamic_sec_flags;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynamic", flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynamic",
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
     return FALSE;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", flags | SEC_READONLY);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->plt_alignment))
     return FALSE;
@@ -1287,32 +1288,32 @@ elf64_ia64_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd,
   if (!get_pltoff (abfd, ia64_info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".vmsdynstr",
-				   (SEC_ALLOC
-				    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-				    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".vmsdynstr",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 0))
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Create a fixup section.  */
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".fixups",
-                                   (SEC_ALLOC
-                                    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-                                    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-                                    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".fixups",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 3))
     return FALSE;
   ia64_info->fixups_sec = s;
 
   /* Create the transfer fixup section.  */
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".transfer",
-                                   (SEC_ALLOC
-                                    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-                                    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-                                    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".transfer",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, 3))
     return FALSE;
@@ -1721,7 +1722,8 @@ get_got (bfd *abfd, struct elf64_ia64_link_hash_table *ia64_info)
 
       /* The .got section is always aligned at 8 bytes.  */
       flags = get_elf_backend_data (dynobj)->dynamic_sec_flags;
-      got = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".got", flags | SEC_SMALL_DATA);
+      got = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".got",
+						flags | SEC_SMALL_DATA);
       if (got == NULL
           || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, got, 3))
         return NULL;
@@ -1750,13 +1752,14 @@ get_fptr (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
       if (!dynobj)
 	ia64_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-      fptr = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".opd",
-					  (SEC_ALLOC
-					   | SEC_LOAD
-					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					   | (info->pie ? 0 : SEC_READONLY)
-					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+      fptr = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".opd",
+						 (SEC_ALLOC
+						  | SEC_LOAD
+						  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						  | (info->pie ? 0
+						     : SEC_READONLY)
+						  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
       if (!fptr
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, fptr, 4))
 	{
@@ -1769,12 +1772,12 @@ get_fptr (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
       if (info->pie)
 	{
 	  asection *fptr_rel;
-	  fptr_rel = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".rela.opd",
-						  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-						   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-						   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-						   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-						   | SEC_READONLY));
+	  fptr_rel = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".rela.opd",
+							 (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+							  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+							  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+							  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+							  | SEC_READONLY));
 	  if (fptr_rel == NULL
 	      || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, fptr_rel, 3))
 	    {
@@ -1802,14 +1805,14 @@ get_pltoff (bfd *abfd, struct elf64_ia64_link_hash_table *ia64_info)
       if (!dynobj)
 	ia64_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-      pltoff = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-					    ELF_STRING_ia64_pltoff,
-					    (SEC_ALLOC
-					     | SEC_LOAD
-					     | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					     | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					     | SEC_SMALL_DATA
-					     | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+      pltoff = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+						   ELF_STRING_ia64_pltoff,
+						   (SEC_ALLOC
+						    | SEC_LOAD
+						    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						    | SEC_SMALL_DATA
+						    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
       if (!pltoff
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, pltoff, 4))
 	{
@@ -1849,15 +1852,15 @@ get_reloc_section (bfd *abfd,
   if (!dynobj)
     ia64_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-  srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, srel_name);
+  srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, srel_name);
   if (srel == NULL && create)
     {
-      srel = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, srel_name,
-					  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-					   | SEC_READONLY));
+      srel = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, srel_name,
+						 (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+						  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+						  | SEC_READONLY));
       if (srel == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srel, 3))
 	return NULL;
@@ -2773,11 +2776,11 @@ elf64_ia64_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       unsigned int time_hi, time_lo;
 
       /* The .dynamic section must exist and be empty.  */
-      dynsec = bfd_get_section_by_name (hash_table->dynobj, ".dynamic");
+      dynsec = bfd_get_linker_section (hash_table->dynobj, ".dynamic");
       BFD_ASSERT (dynsec != NULL);
       BFD_ASSERT (dynsec->size == 0);
 
-      dynstrsec = bfd_get_section_by_name (hash_table->dynobj, ".vmsdynstr");
+      dynstrsec = bfd_get_linker_section (hash_table->dynobj, ".vmsdynstr");
       BFD_ASSERT (dynstrsec != NULL);
       BFD_ASSERT (dynstrsec->size == 0);
       dynstrsec->size = 1;	/* Initial blank.  */
@@ -4061,7 +4064,7 @@ elf64_ia64_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd,
       unsigned int unwind_seg = 0;
       unsigned int code_seg = 0;
 
-      sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+      sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
       BFD_ASSERT (sdyn != NULL);
       dyncon = (Elf64_External_Dyn *) sdyn->contents;
       dynconend = (Elf64_External_Dyn *) (sdyn->contents + sdyn->size);
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-ppc.c b/bfd/elf64-ppc.c
index 68ae03c..50dad3b 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-ppc.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-ppc.c
@@ -4308,7 +4308,7 @@ create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       if (! _bfd_elf_create_got_section (htab->elf.dynobj, info))
 	return FALSE;
 
-      htab->got = bfd_get_section_by_name (htab->elf.dynobj, ".got");
+      htab->got = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->elf.dynobj, ".got");
       if (!htab->got)
 	abort ();
     }
@@ -4347,12 +4347,12 @@ ppc64_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   if (!htab->got)
-    htab->got = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  htab->plt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-  htab->relplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
-  htab->dynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+    htab->got = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  htab->plt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+  htab->relplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+  htab->dynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->relbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->relbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (!htab->got || !htab->plt || !htab->relplt || !htab->dynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->relbss))
@@ -9140,7 +9140,7 @@ ppc64_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  if (s == NULL)
 	    abort ();
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -14036,7 +14036,7 @@ ppc64_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
     return FALSE;
 
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->elf.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-s390.c b/bfd/elf64-s390.c
index cc0e473..d773808 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-s390.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-s390.c
@@ -759,9 +759,9 @@ create_got_section (bfd *dynobj,
   if (htab == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->elf.sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-  htab->elf.sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-  htab->elf.srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+  htab->elf.sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+  htab->elf.sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  htab->elf.srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
   if (!htab->elf.sgot || !htab->elf.sgotplt || !htab->elf.srelgot)
     abort ();
   return TRUE;
@@ -787,11 +787,11 @@ elf_s390_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj,
   if (!_bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->elf.splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-  htab->elf.srelplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->elf.splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+  htab->elf.srelplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (!htab->elf.splt || !htab->elf.srelplt || !htab->sdynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->srelbss))
@@ -1918,7 +1918,7 @@ elf_s390_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  if (s == NULL)
 	    abort ();
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3211,7 +3211,7 @@ elf_s390_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
     return FALSE;
 
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->elf.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-sh64.c b/bfd/elf64-sh64.c
index c314efd..ce5436d 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-sh64.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-sh64.c
@@ -1797,7 +1797,7 @@ sh_elf64_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	     offset table extension for the procedure linkage table.  */
 	  if (sgotplt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+	      sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgotplt != NULL);
 	    }
 
@@ -1820,7 +1820,7 @@ sh_elf64_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	     offset table.  */
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	    }
 
@@ -1914,7 +1914,7 @@ sh_elf64_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 		      Elf_Internal_Rela outrel;
 		      bfd_byte *loc;
 
-		      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+		      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 		      BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
 		      outrel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -1949,7 +1949,7 @@ sh_elf64_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	    }
 
@@ -1974,7 +1974,7 @@ sh_elf64_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	    }
 
@@ -2012,7 +2012,7 @@ sh_elf64_relocate_section (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
 	  if (splt == NULL)
 	    {
-	      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+	      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL);
 	    }
 
@@ -2490,24 +2490,22 @@ sh_elf64_check_relocs (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
 
 	  if (sgot == NULL)
 	    {
-	      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
+	      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
 	      BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
 	    }
 
 	  if (srelgot == NULL
 	      && (h != NULL || info->shared))
 	    {
-	      srelgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+	      srelgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
 	      if (srelgot == NULL)
 		{
-		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-							 ".rela.got",
-							 (SEC_ALLOC
-							  | SEC_LOAD
-							  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-							  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-							  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-							  | SEC_READONLY));
+		  flagword flags = (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+				    | SEC_READONLY);
+		  srelgot = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+								".rela.got",
+								flags);
 		  if (srelgot == NULL
 		      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srelgot, 2))
 		    return FALSE;
@@ -3159,7 +3157,7 @@ sh64_elf64_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   if (bed->plt_readonly)
     pltflags |= SEC_READONLY;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".plt", pltflags);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->plt_alignment))
     return FALSE;
@@ -3186,9 +3184,10 @@ sh64_elf64_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	return FALSE;
     }
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-				   bed->default_use_rela_p ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt",
-				   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+					  bed->default_use_rela_p
+					  ? ".rela.plt" : ".rel.plt",
+					  flags | SEC_READONLY);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
     return FALSE;
@@ -3204,8 +3203,8 @@ sh64_elf64_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 image and use a R_*_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
 	 initialize them at run time.  The linker script puts the .dynbss
 	 section into the .bss section of the final image.  */
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
-				       SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".dynbss",
+					      SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
       if (s == NULL)
 	return FALSE;
 
@@ -3222,10 +3221,10 @@ sh64_elf64_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 copy relocs.  */
       if (! info->shared)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-					   (bed->default_use_rela_p
-					    ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
-					   flags | SEC_READONLY);
+	  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+						  (bed->default_use_rela_p
+						   ? ".rela.bss" : ".rel.bss"),
+						  flags | SEC_READONLY);
 	  if (s == NULL
 	      || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, ptralign))
 	    return FALSE;
@@ -3284,7 +3283,7 @@ sh64_elf64_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
 	    return FALSE;
 	}
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       /* If this is the first .plt entry, make room for the special
@@ -3312,13 +3311,13 @@ sh64_elf64_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .got.plt section, which
 	 will be placed in the .got section by the linker script.  */
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += 8;
 
       /* We also need to make an entry in the .rela.plt section.  */
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size += sizeof (Elf64_External_Rela);
 
@@ -3362,7 +3361,7 @@ sh64_elf64_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
      both the dynamic object and the regular object will refer to the
      same memory location for the variable.  */
 
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   /* We must generate a R_SH_COPY reloc to tell the dynamic linker to
@@ -3373,7 +3372,7 @@ sh64_elf64_adjust_dynamic_symbol (struct bfd_link_info *info,
     {
       asection *srel;
 
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (srel != NULL);
       srel->size += sizeof (Elf64_External_Rela);
       h->needs_copy = 1;
@@ -3425,7 +3424,7 @@ sh64_elf64_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = sizeof ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
@@ -3438,7 +3437,7 @@ sh64_elf64_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 	 not actually use these entries.  Reset the size of .rela.got,
 	 which will cause it to get stripped from the output file
 	 below.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       if (s != NULL)
 	s->size = 0;
     }
@@ -3607,9 +3606,9 @@ sh64_elf64_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
 
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sgot != NULL && srel != NULL);
 
       /* Get the index in the procedure linkage table which
@@ -3710,8 +3709,8 @@ sh64_elf64_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* This symbol has an entry in the global offset table.  Set it
 	 up.  */
 
-      sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got");
-      srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.got");
+      sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got");
+      srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.got");
       BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL && srel != NULL);
 
       rel.r_offset = (sgot->output_section->vma
@@ -3756,8 +3755,7 @@ sh64_elf64_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
 		  && (h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defined
 		      || h->root.type == bfd_link_hash_defweak));
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rel.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -3790,9 +3788,9 @@ sh64_elf64_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sgot = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+  sgot = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
   BFD_ASSERT (sgot != NULL);
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
@@ -3875,7 +3873,7 @@ sh64_elf64_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 	}
 
       /* Fill in the first entry in the procedure linkage table.  */
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".plt");
       if (splt && splt->size > 0)
 	{
 	  if (info->shared)
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-sparc.c b/bfd/elf64-sparc.c
index 82bd93f..548dfbd 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-sparc.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-sparc.c
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /* SPARC-specific support for 64-bit ELF
    Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002,
-   2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
+   2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
    Free Software Foundation, Inc.
 
    This file is part of BFD, the Binary File Descriptor library.
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ elf64_sparc_output_arch_syms (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynlocal)
     {
       bfd * dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
-      asection *dynsymsec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynsym");
+      asection *dynsymsec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynsym");
       struct elf_link_local_dynamic_entry *e;
 
       for (e = elf_hash_table (info)->dynlocal; e ; e = e->next)
diff --git a/bfd/elf64-x86-64.c b/bfd/elf64-x86-64.c
index 5614aa2..03cd2f3 100644
--- a/bfd/elf64-x86-64.c
+++ b/bfd/elf64-x86-64.c
@@ -970,9 +970,9 @@ elf_x86_64_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj,
   if (htab == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (!htab->sdynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->srelbss))
@@ -2599,7 +2599,7 @@ elf_x86_64_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  if (s == NULL)
 	    abort ();
 	  s->size = htab->dynamic_interpreter_size;
@@ -4564,7 +4564,7 @@ elf_x86_64_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
     return FALSE;
 
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (htab->elf.dynamic_sections_created)
     {
diff --git a/bfd/elflink.c b/bfd/elflink.c
index a9d95bd..d9e1abe 100644
--- a/bfd/elflink.c
+++ b/bfd/elflink.c
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ _bfd_elf_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   struct elf_link_hash_table *htab = elf_hash_table (info);
 
   /* This function may be called more than once.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
-  if (s != NULL && (s->flags & SEC_LINKER_CREATED) != 0)
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
+  if (s != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
   flags = bed->dynamic_sec_flags;
@@ -779,8 +779,7 @@ _bfd_elf_link_omit_section_dynsym (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	  asection *ip;
 
 	  if (htab->dynobj != NULL
-	      && (ip = bfd_get_section_by_name (htab->dynobj, p->name)) != NULL
-	      && (ip->flags & SEC_LINKER_CREATED)
+	      && (ip = bfd_get_linker_section (htab->dynobj, p->name)) != NULL
 	      && ip->output_section == p)
 	    return TRUE;
 	}
@@ -3036,7 +3035,7 @@ _bfd_elf_add_dynamic_entry (struct bfd_link_info *info,
     return FALSE;
 
   bed = get_elf_backend_data (hash_table->dynobj);
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (hash_table->dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (hash_table->dynobj, ".dynamic");
   BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
   newsize = s->size + bed->s->sizeof_dyn;
@@ -3084,7 +3083,7 @@ elf_add_dt_needed_tag (bfd *abfd,
       bfd_byte *extdyn;
 
       bed = get_elf_backend_data (hash_table->dynobj);
-      sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (hash_table->dynobj, ".dynamic");
+      sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (hash_table->dynobj, ".dynamic");
       if (sdyn != NULL)
 	for (extdyn = sdyn->contents;
 	     extdyn < sdyn->contents + sdyn->size;
@@ -3181,7 +3180,7 @@ elf_finalize_dynstr (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   size = _bfd_elf_strtab_size (dynstr);
 
   bed = get_elf_backend_data (dynobj);
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
   BFD_ASSERT (sdyn != NULL);
 
   /* Update all .dynamic entries referencing .dynstr strings.  */
@@ -3230,7 +3229,7 @@ elf_finalize_dynstr (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       Elf_Internal_Verdef def;
       Elf_Internal_Verdaux defaux;
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".gnu.version_d");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".gnu.version_d");
       p = s->contents;
       do
 	{
@@ -3262,7 +3261,7 @@ elf_finalize_dynstr (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       Elf_Internal_Verneed need;
       Elf_Internal_Vernaux needaux;
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".gnu.version_r");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".gnu.version_r");
       p = s->contents;
       do
 	{
@@ -5603,7 +5602,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       asection *s;
       bfd_boolean all_defined;
 
-      *sinterpptr = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+      *sinterpptr = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
       BFD_ASSERT (*sinterpptr != NULL || !info->executable);
 
       if (soname != NULL)
@@ -5871,7 +5870,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 	    return FALSE;
 	}
 
-      dynstr = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynstr");
+      dynstr = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynstr");
       /* If .dynstr is excluded from the link, we don't want any of
 	 these tags.  Strictly, we should be checking each section
 	 individually;  This quick check covers for the case where
@@ -5911,7 +5910,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       asection *s;
 
       /* Set up the version definition section.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".gnu.version_d");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".gnu.version_d");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       /* We may have created additional version definitions if we are
@@ -6174,7 +6173,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
       /* Work out the size of the version reference section.  */
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".gnu.version_r");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".gnu.version_r");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       {
 	struct elf_find_verdep_info sinfo;
@@ -6286,7 +6285,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 	  || _bfd_elf_link_renumber_dynsyms (output_bfd, info,
 					     &section_sym_count) == 0)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".gnu.version");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".gnu.version");
 	  s->flags |= SEC_EXCLUDE;
 	}
     }
@@ -6370,7 +6369,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynsym_hash_dynstr (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 						    &section_sym_count);
 
       /* Work out the size of the symbol version section.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".gnu.version");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".gnu.version");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       if (dynsymcount != 0
 	  && (s->flags & SEC_EXCLUDE) == 0)
@@ -6390,7 +6389,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynsym_hash_dynstr (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	 the final symbol table, because until then we do not know the
 	 correct value to give the symbols.  We built the .dynstr
 	 section as we went along in elf_link_add_object_symbols.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynsym");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynsym");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
       s->size = dynsymcount * bed->s->sizeof_sym;
 
@@ -6448,7 +6447,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynsym_hash_dynstr (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 
 	  elf_hash_table (info)->bucketcount = bucketcount;
 
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".hash");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".hash");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  hash_entry_size = elf_section_data (s)->this_hdr.sh_entsize;
 	  s->size = ((2 + bucketcount + dynsymcount) * hash_entry_size);
@@ -6502,7 +6501,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynsym_hash_dynstr (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	      return FALSE;
 	    }
 
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".gnu.hash");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".gnu.hash");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
 	  if (cinfo.nsyms == 0)
@@ -6630,7 +6629,7 @@ bfd_elf_size_dynsym_hash_dynstr (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	    }
 	}
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynstr");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynstr");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       elf_finalize_dynstr (output_bfd, info);
@@ -10345,10 +10344,10 @@ bfd_elf_final_link (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     }
   else
     {
-      flinfo.dynsym_sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynsym");
-      flinfo.hash_sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".hash");
+      flinfo.dynsym_sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynsym");
+      flinfo.hash_sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".hash");
       /* Note that dynsym_sec can be NULL (on VMS).  */
-      flinfo.symver_sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".gnu.version");
+      flinfo.symver_sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".gnu.version");
       /* Note that it is OK if symver_sec is NULL.  */
     }
 
@@ -11077,7 +11076,7 @@ bfd_elf_final_link (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       bfd_byte *dyncon, *dynconend;
 
       /* Fix up .dynamic entries.  */
-      o = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+      o = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
       BFD_ASSERT (o != NULL);
 
       dyncon = o->contents;
@@ -11253,7 +11252,7 @@ bfd_elf_final_link (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
       /* Check for DT_TEXTREL (late, in case the backend removes it).  */
       if (((info->warn_shared_textrel && info->shared)
 	   || info->error_textrel)
-	  && (o = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic")) != NULL)
+	  && (o = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic")) != NULL)
 	{
 	  bfd_byte *dyncon, *dynconend;
 
@@ -11294,9 +11293,7 @@ bfd_elf_final_link (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	    continue;
 	  if (elf_hash_table (info)->eh_info.hdr_sec == o)
 	    continue;
-	  if ((elf_section_data (o->output_section)->this_hdr.sh_type
-	       != SHT_STRTAB)
-	      && (strcmp (bfd_get_section_name (abfd, o), ".dynstr") != 0))
+	  if (strcmp (o->name, ".dynstr") != 0)
 	    {
 	      /* FIXME: octets_per_byte.  */
 	      if (! bfd_set_section_contents (abfd, o->output_section,
@@ -12842,7 +12839,7 @@ _bfd_elf_get_dynamic_reloc_section (bfd *       abfd,
 
       if (name != NULL)
 	{
-	  reloc_sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, name);
+	  reloc_sec = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, name);
 
 	  if (reloc_sec != NULL)
 	    elf_section_data (sec)->sreloc = reloc_sec;
@@ -12878,17 +12875,16 @@ _bfd_elf_make_dynamic_reloc_section (asection *         sec,
       if (name == NULL)
 	return NULL;
 
-      reloc_sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, name);
+      reloc_sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, name);
 
       if (reloc_sec == NULL)
 	{
-	  flagword flags;
-
-	  flags = (SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_READONLY | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
+	  flagword flags = (SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_READONLY
+			    | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED);
 	  if ((sec->flags & SEC_ALLOC) != 0)
 	    flags |= SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD;
 
-	  reloc_sec = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, name, flags);
+	  reloc_sec = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, name, flags);
 	  if (reloc_sec != NULL)
 	    {
 	      if (! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, reloc_sec, alignment))
diff --git a/bfd/elfnn-ia64.c b/bfd/elfnn-ia64.c
index fdefb03..d90b226 100644
--- a/bfd/elfnn-ia64.c
+++ b/bfd/elfnn-ia64.c
@@ -1552,12 +1552,12 @@ elfNN_ia64_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd,
   if (!get_pltoff (abfd, info, ia64_info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.IA_64.pltoff",
-				   (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-				    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-				    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-				    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-				    | SEC_READONLY));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rela.IA_64.pltoff",
+					  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+					   | SEC_READONLY));
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, LOG_SECTION_ALIGN))
     return FALSE;
@@ -1986,13 +1986,14 @@ get_fptr (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
       if (!dynobj)
 	ia64_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-      fptr = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".opd",
-					  (SEC_ALLOC
-					   | SEC_LOAD
-					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					   | (info->pie ? 0 : SEC_READONLY)
-					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+      fptr = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".opd",
+						 (SEC_ALLOC
+						  | SEC_LOAD
+						  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						  | (info->pie ? 0
+						     : SEC_READONLY)
+						  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
       if (!fptr
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, fptr, 4))
 	{
@@ -2005,12 +2006,12 @@ get_fptr (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info,
       if (info->pie)
 	{
 	  asection *fptr_rel;
-	  fptr_rel = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, ".rela.opd",
-						  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-						   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-						   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-						   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-						   | SEC_READONLY));
+	  fptr_rel = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, ".rela.opd",
+							 (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+							  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+							  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+							  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+							  | SEC_READONLY));
 	  if (fptr_rel == NULL
 	      || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, fptr_rel,
 					     LOG_SECTION_ALIGN))
@@ -2040,14 +2041,14 @@ get_pltoff (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       if (!dynobj)
 	ia64_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-      pltoff = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj,
-					    ELF_STRING_ia64_pltoff,
-					    (SEC_ALLOC
-					     | SEC_LOAD
-					     | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					     | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					     | SEC_SMALL_DATA
-					     | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
+      pltoff = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj,
+						   ELF_STRING_ia64_pltoff,
+						   (SEC_ALLOC
+						    | SEC_LOAD
+						    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						    | SEC_SMALL_DATA
+						    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED));
       if (!pltoff
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, pltoff, 4))
 	{
@@ -2080,15 +2081,15 @@ get_reloc_section (bfd *abfd,
   if (!dynobj)
     ia64_info->root.dynobj = dynobj = abfd;
 
-  srel = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, srel_name);
+  srel = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, srel_name);
   if (srel == NULL && create)
     {
-      srel = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, srel_name,
-					  (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
-					   | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					   | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					   | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-					   | SEC_READONLY));
+      srel = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, srel_name,
+						 (SEC_ALLOC | SEC_LOAD
+						  | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						  | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						  | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+						  | SEC_READONLY));
       if (srel == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, srel,
 					 LOG_SECTION_ALIGN))
@@ -2988,7 +2989,7 @@ elfNN_ia64_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
   if (ia64_info->root.dynamic_sections_created
       && info->executable)
     {
-      sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+      sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
       BFD_ASSERT (sec != NULL);
       sec->contents = (bfd_byte *) ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER;
       sec->size = strlen (ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER) + 1;
@@ -3045,7 +3046,7 @@ elfNN_ia64_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
       /* If we've got a .plt, we need some extra memory for the dynamic
 	 linker.  We stuff these in .got.plt.  */
-      sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      sec = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       sec->size = 8 * PLT_RESERVED_WORDS;
     }
 
@@ -4612,8 +4613,8 @@ elfNN_ia64_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd,
       asection *sdyn, *sgotplt;
       bfd_vma gp_val;
 
-      sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
-      sgotplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".got.plt");
+      sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+      sgotplt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".got.plt");
       BFD_ASSERT (sdyn != NULL);
       dyncon = (ElfNN_External_Dyn *) sdyn->contents;
       dynconend = (ElfNN_External_Dyn *) (sdyn->contents + sdyn->size);
diff --git a/bfd/elfxx-mips.c b/bfd/elfxx-mips.c
index 9b4ccbf..de5e9c6 100644
--- a/bfd/elfxx-mips.c
+++ b/bfd/elfxx-mips.c
@@ -2860,16 +2860,16 @@ mips_elf_rel_dyn_section (struct bfd_link_info *info, bfd_boolean create_p)
 
   dname = MIPS_ELF_REL_DYN_NAME (info);
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
-  sreloc = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, dname);
+  sreloc = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, dname);
   if (sreloc == NULL && create_p)
     {
-      sreloc = bfd_make_section_with_flags (dynobj, dname,
-					    (SEC_ALLOC
-					     | SEC_LOAD
-					     | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
-					     | SEC_IN_MEMORY
-					     | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
-					     | SEC_READONLY));
+      sreloc = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (dynobj, dname,
+						   (SEC_ALLOC
+						    | SEC_LOAD
+						    | SEC_HAS_CONTENTS
+						    | SEC_IN_MEMORY
+						    | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
+						    | SEC_READONLY));
       if (sreloc == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (dynobj, sreloc,
 					  MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (dynobj)))
@@ -4832,12 +4832,12 @@ mips_elf_create_compact_rel_section
   flagword flags;
   register asection *s;
 
-  if (bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".compact_rel") == NULL)
+  if (bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".compact_rel") == NULL)
     {
       flags = (SEC_HAS_CONTENTS | SEC_IN_MEMORY | SEC_LINKER_CREATED
 	       | SEC_READONLY);
 
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".compact_rel", flags);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".compact_rel", flags);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s,
 					  MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (abfd)))
@@ -6178,7 +6178,7 @@ mips_elf_create_dynamic_relocation (bfd *output_bfd,
   /* On IRIX5, make an entry of compact relocation info.  */
   if (IRIX_COMPAT (output_bfd) == ict_irix5)
     {
-      asection *scpt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".compact_rel");
+      asection *scpt = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".compact_rel");
       bfd_byte *cr;
 
       if (scpt)
@@ -7220,7 +7220,7 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
      EABI doesn't.  */
   if (!htab->is_vxworks)
     {
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynamic");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynamic");
       if (s != NULL)
 	{
 	  if (! bfd_set_section_flags (abfd, s, flags))
@@ -7236,9 +7236,9 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Create .stub section.  */
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-				   MIPS_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME (abfd),
-				   flags | SEC_CODE);
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+					  MIPS_ELF_STUB_SECTION_NAME (abfd),
+					  flags | SEC_CODE);
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s,
 				      MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (abfd)))
@@ -7247,10 +7247,10 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 
   if ((IRIX_COMPAT (abfd) == ict_irix5 || IRIX_COMPAT (abfd) == ict_none)
       && !info->shared
-      && bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rld_map") == NULL)
+      && bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rld_map") == NULL)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".rld_map",
-				       flags &~ (flagword) SEC_READONLY);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".rld_map",
+					      flags &~ (flagword) SEC_READONLY);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s,
 					  MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (abfd)))
@@ -7288,19 +7288,20 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	}
 
       /* Change alignments of some sections.  */
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".hash");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".hash");
       if (s != NULL)
 	bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (abfd));
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynsym");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynsym");
       if (s != NULL)
 	bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (abfd));
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynstr");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynstr");
       if (s != NULL)
 	bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (abfd));
+      /* ??? */
       s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".reginfo");
       if (s != NULL)
 	bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (abfd));
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynamic");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynamic");
       if (s != NULL)
 	bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, MIPS_ELF_LOG_FILE_ALIGN (abfd));
     }
@@ -7330,7 +7331,7 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 	     and is filled in by the rtld to contain a pointer to
 	     the _r_debug structure. Its symbol value will be set in
 	     _bfd_mips_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol.  */
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rld_map");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rld_map");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
 	  name = SGI_COMPAT (abfd) ? "__rld_map" : "__RLD_MAP";
@@ -7357,15 +7358,15 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
     return FALSE;
 
   /* Cache the sections created above.  */
-  htab->splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".plt");
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".dynbss");
+  htab->splt = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".plt");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".dynbss");
   if (htab->is_vxworks)
     {
-      htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rela.bss");
-      htab->srelplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rela.plt");
+      htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rela.bss");
+      htab->srelplt = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rela.plt");
     }
   else
-    htab->srelplt = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".rel.plt");
+    htab->srelplt = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".rel.plt");
   if (!htab->sdynbss
       || (htab->is_vxworks && !htab->srelbss && !info->shared)
       || !htab->srelplt
@@ -9027,7 +9028,7 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size
 	    = strlen (ELF_DYNAMIC_INTERPRETER (output_bfd)) + 1;
@@ -10510,7 +10511,7 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
 
   dynobj = elf_hash_table (info)->dynobj;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   sgot = htab->sgot;
   gg = htab->got_info;
@@ -10856,7 +10857,7 @@ _bfd_mips_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
     if (SGI_COMPAT (output_bfd))
       {
 	/* Write .compact_rel section out.  */
-	s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".compact_rel");
+	s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".compact_rel");
 	if (s != NULL)
 	  {
 	    cpt.id1 = 1;
diff --git a/bfd/elfxx-sparc.c b/bfd/elfxx-sparc.c
index 06f02bf..e17e17a 100644
--- a/bfd/elfxx-sparc.c
+++ b/bfd/elfxx-sparc.c
@@ -1207,9 +1207,9 @@ _bfd_sparc_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj,
   if (!_bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (htab->is_vxworks)
     {
@@ -2532,7 +2532,7 @@ _bfd_sparc_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = htab->dynamic_interpreter_size;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) htab->dynamic_interpreter;
@@ -4496,8 +4496,8 @@ _bfd_sparc_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* This symbols needs a copy reloc.  Set it up.  */
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = bfd_get_linker_section (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
+				  ".rela.bss");
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -4736,13 +4736,13 @@ _bfd_sparc_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd, struct bfd_link_info *i
   BFD_ASSERT (htab != NULL);
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
       asection *splt;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = htab->elf.splt;
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       if (!sparc_finish_dyn (output_bfd, info, dynobj, sdyn, splt))
diff --git a/bfd/elfxx-tilegx.c b/bfd/elfxx-tilegx.c
index 02f80c5..6f748ec 100644
--- a/bfd/elfxx-tilegx.c
+++ b/bfd/elfxx-tilegx.c
@@ -1424,23 +1424,23 @@ tilegx_elf_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
   struct elf_link_hash_table *htab = elf_hash_table (info);
 
   /* This function may be called more than once.  */
-  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, ".got");
-  if (s != NULL && (s->flags & SEC_LINKER_CREATED) != 0)
+  s = bfd_get_linker_section (abfd, ".got");
+  if (s != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
   flags = bed->dynamic_sec_flags;
 
-  s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd,
-				   (bed->rela_plts_and_copies_p
-				    ? ".rela.got" : ".rel.got"),
-				   (bed->dynamic_sec_flags
-				    | SEC_READONLY));
+  s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd,
+					  (bed->rela_plts_and_copies_p
+					   ? ".rela.got" : ".rel.got"),
+					  (bed->dynamic_sec_flags
+					   | SEC_READONLY));
   if (s == NULL
       || ! bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
     return FALSE;
   htab->srelgot = s;
 
-  s = s_got = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
+  s = s_got = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got", flags);
   if (s == NULL
       || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s, bed->s->log_file_align))
     return FALSE;
@@ -1451,7 +1451,7 @@ tilegx_elf_create_got_section (bfd *abfd, struct bfd_link_info *info)
 
   if (bed->want_got_plt)
     {
-      s = bfd_make_section_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
+      s = bfd_make_section_anyway_with_flags (abfd, ".got.plt", flags);
       if (s == NULL
 	  || !bfd_set_section_alignment (abfd, s,
 					 bed->s->log_file_align))
@@ -1497,9 +1497,9 @@ tilegx_elf_create_dynamic_sections (bfd *dynobj,
   if (!_bfd_elf_create_dynamic_sections (dynobj, info))
     return FALSE;
 
-  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynbss");
+  htab->sdynbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynbss");
   if (!info->shared)
-    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
+    htab->srelbss = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".rela.bss");
 
   if (!htab->elf.splt || !htab->elf.srelplt || !htab->sdynbss
       || (!info->shared && !htab->srelbss))
@@ -2655,7 +2655,7 @@ tilegx_elf_size_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       /* Set the contents of the .interp section to the interpreter.  */
       if (info->executable)
 	{
-	  s = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".interp");
+	  s = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".interp");
 	  BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 	  s->size = strlen (htab->dynamic_interpreter) + 1;
 	  s->contents = (unsigned char *) htab->dynamic_interpreter;
@@ -4116,8 +4116,7 @@ tilegx_elf_finish_dynamic_symbol (bfd *output_bfd,
       /* This symbols needs a copy reloc.  Set it up.  */
       BFD_ASSERT (h->dynindx != -1);
 
-      s = bfd_get_section_by_name (h->root.u.def.section->owner,
-				   ".rela.bss");
+      s = htab->srelbss;
       BFD_ASSERT (s != NULL);
 
       rela.r_offset = (h->root.u.def.value
@@ -4196,14 +4195,14 @@ tilegx_elf_finish_dynamic_sections (bfd *output_bfd,
   BFD_ASSERT (htab != NULL);
   dynobj = htab->elf.dynobj;
 
-  sdyn = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".dynamic");
+  sdyn = bfd_get_linker_section (dynobj, ".dynamic");
 
   if (elf_hash_table (info)->dynamic_sections_created)
     {
       asection *splt;
       bfd_boolean ret;
 
-      splt = bfd_get_section_by_name (dynobj, ".plt");
+      splt = htab->elf.splt;
       BFD_ASSERT (splt != NULL && sdyn != NULL);
 
       ret = tilegx_finish_dyn (output_bfd, info, dynobj, sdyn, splt);
diff --git a/bfd/section.c b/bfd/section.c
index 0a7908e..a3b7c56 100644
--- a/bfd/section.c
+++ b/bfd/section.c
@@ -898,6 +898,28 @@ bfd_get_next_section_by_name (asection *sec)
 
 /*
 FUNCTION
+	bfd_get_linker_section
+
+SYNOPSIS
+	asection *bfd_get_linker_section (bfd *abfd, const char *name);
+
+DESCRIPTION
+	Return the linker created section attached to @var{abfd}
+	named @var{name}.  Return NULL if no such section exists.
+*/
+
+asection *
+bfd_get_linker_section (bfd *abfd, const char *name)
+{
+  asection *sec = bfd_get_section_by_name (abfd, name);
+
+  while (sec != NULL && (sec->flags & SEC_LINKER_CREATED) == 0)
+    sec = bfd_get_next_section_by_name (sec);
+  return sec;
+}
+
+/*
+FUNCTION
 	bfd_get_section_by_name_if
 
 SYNOPSIS