Bump to autoconf 2.69 and automake 1.15.1

~~~
New in v2:

- Remove version checks from AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS and AC_PREREQ from
  configure.ac's (see rationale below).
- Add AC_USE_SYSTEM_EXTENSIONS to intl/configure.ac (see problem #10).
- Add missing AC_LANG_SOURCE usage in root configure.ac.
- Update README-maintainer-mode
- Re-generated all (hopefully) that needs to be generated.  I built
  using --enable-maintainer-mode, and grepped around to find references
  to prior versions of autoconf/automake.

I forced pushed to users/simark/autotools-bump on sourceware.
~~~

When trying to run the update-gnulib.sh script in gdb, I get this:

Error: Wrong automake version (Unescaped left brace in regex is deprecated, passed through in regex; marked by <-- HERE in m/\${ <-- HERE ([^      =:+{}]+)}/ at /opt/automake/1.11.1/bin/automake line 4113.), we need 1.11.1.
Aborting.

Apparently, it's an issue with a regex in automake that triggers a
warning starting with Perl 5.22.  It has been fixed in automake 1.15.1.
So I think it's a good excuse to bump the versions of autoconf and
automake used in the gnulib import.  And to avoid requiring multiple
builds of autoconf/automake, it was suggested that we bump the required
version of those tools for all binutils-gdb.

For autoconf, the 2.69 version is universally available, so it's an easy
choice.  For automake, different distros and distro versions have
different automake versions.  But 1.15.1 seems to be the most readily
available as a package.  In any case, it's easy to build it from source.

I removed the version checks from AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS and AC_PREREQ,
because I don't think they are useful in our case.  They only specify a
lower bound for the acceptable version of automake/autoconf.  That's
useful if you let the user choose the version of the tool they want to
use, but want to set a minimum version (because you use a feature that
was introduced in that version).  In our case, we force people to use a
specific version anyway.  For the autoconf version, we have the check in
config/override.m4 that enforces the version we want.  It will be one
less thing to update next time we change autotools version.

This patch only includes the manually edited file.  The changes to
generated files are included in the following patch.  I have included
the generated changes in the ChangeLog entries below, and would amend
them just before pushing.

To help with testing, I pushed the changes to the
users/simark/autotools-bump on sourceware's git.

I hit a few categories of problems that required some changes.  They are
described below along with the chosen solutions.

Problem 1:

  configure.ac:17: warning: AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE: two- and three-arguments forms are deprecated.  For more info, see:
  configure.ac:17: http://www.gnu.org/software/automake/manual/automake.html#Modernize-AM_005fINIT_005fAUTOMAKE-invocation

Solution 1:

  Adjust the code based on the example at that URL.

Problem 2 (in zlib/):

  Makefile.am: error: required file './INSTALL' not found
  Makefile.am:   'automake --add-missing' can install 'INSTALL'
  Makefile.am: error: required file './NEWS' not found
  Makefile.am: error: required file './AUTHORS' not found
  Makefile.am: error: required file './COPYING' not found
  Makefile.am:   'automake --add-missing' can install 'COPYING'

Solution 2:

  Add the foreign option to AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS.

Problem 3:

  doc/Makefile.am:20: error: support for Cygnus-style trees has been removed

Solution 3:

  Remove the cygnus options.

Problem 4:

  Makefile.am:656: warning: 'INCLUDES' is the old name for 'AM_CPPFLAGS' (or '*_CPPFLAGS')

Solution 4:

  Rename "INCLUDES = " to "AM_CPPFLAGS += " (because AM_CPPFLAGS is
  already defined earlier).

Problem 5:

  doc/Makefile.am:71: warning: suffix '.texinfo' for Texinfo files is discouraged; use '.texi' instead
  doc/Makefile.am: warning: Oops!
  doc/Makefile.am:     It appears this file (or files included by it) are triggering
  doc/Makefile.am:     an undocumented, soon-to-be-removed automake hack.
  doc/Makefile.am:     Future automake versions will no longer place in the builddir
  doc/Makefile.am:     (rather than in the srcdir) the generated '.info' files that
  doc/Makefile.am:     appear to be cleaned, by e.g. being listed in CLEANFILES or
  doc/Makefile.am:     DISTCLEANFILES.
  doc/Makefile.am:     If you want your '.info' files to be placed in the builddir
  doc/Makefile.am:     rather than in the srcdir, you have to use the shiny new
  doc/Makefile.am:     'info-in-builddir' automake option.

Solution 5:

  Rename .texinfo files to .texi.

Problem 6:

  doc/Makefile.am: warning: Oops!
  doc/Makefile.am:     It appears this file (or files included by it) are triggering
  doc/Makefile.am:     an undocumented, soon-to-be-removed automake hack.
  doc/Makefile.am:     Future automake versions will no longer place in the builddir
  doc/Makefile.am:     (rather than in the srcdir) the generated '.info' files that
  doc/Makefile.am:     appear to be cleaned, by e.g. being listed in CLEANFILES or
  doc/Makefile.am:     DISTCLEANFILES.
  doc/Makefile.am:     If you want your '.info' files to be placed in the builddir
  doc/Makefile.am:     rather than in the srcdir, you have to use the shiny new
  doc/Makefile.am:     'info-in-builddir' automake option.

Solution 6:

  Remove the hack at the bottom of doc/Makefile.am and use
  the info-in-builddir automake option.

Problem 7:

  doc/Makefile.am:35: error: required file '../texinfo.tex' not found
  doc/Makefile.am:35:   'automake --add-missing' can install 'texinfo.tex'

Solution 7:

  Use the no-texinfo.tex automake option.  We also have one in
  texinfo/texinfo.tex, not sure if we should point to that, or move it
  (or a newer version of it added with automake --add-missing) to
  top-level.

Problem 8:

  Makefile.am:131: warning: source file 'config/tc-aarch64.c' is in a subdirectory,
  Makefile.am:131: but option 'subdir-objects' is disabled
  automake: warning: possible forward-incompatibility.
  automake: At least a source file is in a subdirectory, but the 'subdir-objects'
  automake: automake option hasn't been enabled.  For now, the corresponding output
  automake: object file(s) will be placed in the top-level directory.  However,
  automake: this behaviour will change in future Automake versions: they will
  automake: unconditionally cause object files to be placed in the same subdirectory
  automake: of the corresponding sources.
  automake: You are advised to start using 'subdir-objects' option throughout your
  automake: project, to avoid future incompatibilities.

Solution 8:

  Use subdir-objects, that means adjusting references to some .o that will now
  be in config/.

Problem 9:

  configure.ac:375: warning: AC_LANG_CONFTEST: no AC_LANG_SOURCE call detected in body
  ../../lib/autoconf/lang.m4:193: AC_LANG_CONFTEST is expanded from...
  ../../lib/autoconf/general.m4:2601: _AC_COMPILE_IFELSE is expanded from...
  ../../lib/autoconf/general.m4:2617: AC_COMPILE_IFELSE is expanded from...
  ../../lib/m4sugar/m4sh.m4:639: AS_IF is expanded from...
  ../../lib/autoconf/general.m4:2042: AC_CACHE_VAL is expanded from...
  ../../lib/autoconf/general.m4:2063: AC_CACHE_CHECK is expanded from...
  configure.ac:375: the top level

Solution 9:

  Use AC_LANG_SOURCE, or use proper quoting.

Problem 10 (in intl/):

  configure.ac:7: warning: AC_COMPILE_IFELSE was called before AC_USE_SYSTEM_EXTENSIONS
  /usr/share/aclocal/threadlib.m4:36: gl_THREADLIB_EARLY_BODY is expanded from...
  /usr/share/aclocal/threadlib.m4:29: gl_THREADLIB_EARLY is expanded from...
  /usr/share/aclocal/threadlib.m4:318: gl_THREADLIB is expanded from...
  /usr/share/aclocal/lock.m4:9: gl_LOCK is expanded from...
  /usr/share/aclocal/intl.m4:211: gt_INTL_SUBDIR_CORE is expanded from...
  /usr/share/aclocal/intl.m4:25: AM_INTL_SUBDIR is expanded from...
  /usr/share/aclocal/gettext.m4:57: AM_GNU_GETTEXT is expanded from...
  configure.ac:7: the top level

Solution 10:

  Add AC_USE_SYSTEM_EXTENSIONS in configure.ac.

ChangeLog:

	* libtool.m4: Use AC_LANG_SOURCE.
	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ, use AC_LANG_SOURCE.
	* README-maintainer-mode: Update version requirements.
	* ar-lib: New file.
	* test-driver: New file.
	* configure: Re-generate.

bfd/ChangeLog:

	* Makefile.am (AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Remove 1.11.
	(INCLUDES): Rename to ...
	(AM_CPPFLAGS): ... this.
	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* doc/Makefile.am (AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Remove 1.9, cygnus, add
	info-in-builddir no-texinfo.tex.
	(info_TEXINFOS): Rename bfd.texinfo to bfd.texi.
	* doc/bfd.texinfo: Rename to ...
	* doc/bfd.texi: ... this.
	* Makefile.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* config.in: Re-generate.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* doc/Makefile.in: Re-generate.

binutils/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* doc/Makefile.am (AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Remove cygnus, add
	info-in-builddir no-texinfo.tex.
	* Makefile.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* config.in: Re-generate.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* doc/Makefile.in: Re-generate.

config/ChangeLog:

	* override.m4 (_GCC_AUTOCONF_VERSION): Bump from 2.64 to 2.69.

etc/ChangeLog:

	* configure.in: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* configure: Re-generate.

gas/ChangeLog:

	* Makefile.am (AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Remove 1.11, add subdir-objects.
	(TARG_CPU_O, OBJ_FORMAT_O, ATOF_TARG_O): Add config/ prefix.
	* configure.ac (TARG_CPU_O, OBJ_FORMAT_O, ATOF_TARG_O, emfiles,
	extra_objects): Add config/ prefix.
	* doc/as.texinfo: Rename to...
	* doc/as.texi: ... this.
	* doc/Makefile.am: Rename as.texinfo to as.texi throughout.
	Remove DISTCLEANFILES hack.
	(AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Remove 1.8, cygnus, add no-texinfo.tex and
	info-in-builddir.
	* Makefile.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* config.in: Re-generate.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* doc/Makefile.in: Re-generate.

gdb/ChangeLog:

	* common/common-defs.h (PACKAGE_NAME, PACKAGE_VERSION,
	PACKAGE_STRING, PACKAGE_TARNAME): Undefine.
	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ, add missing quoting.
	* gnulib/configure.ac: Modernize usage of
	AC_INIT/AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE.  Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* gnulib/update-gnulib.sh (AUTOCONF_VERSION): Bump to 2.69.
	(AUTOMAKE_VERSION): Bump to 1.15.1.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* config.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* gnulib/aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* gnulib/config.in: Re-generate.
	* gnulib/configure: Re-generate.
	* gnulib/import/Makefile.in: Re-generate.

gdb/gdbserver/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ, add missing quoting.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* config.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.

gdb/testsuite/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* configure: Re-generate.

gold/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ, add missing quoting and usage
	of AC_LANG_SOURCE.
	* Makefile.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* testsuite/Makefile.in: Re-generate.

gprof/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* Makefile.am: Remove DISTCLEANFILES hack.
	(AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Remove 1.11, add info-in-builddir.
	* Makefile.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* gconfig.in: Re-generate.

intl/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Add AC_USE_SYSTEM_EXTENSIONS, remove AC_PREREQ.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* config.h.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.

ld/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* Makefile.am: Remove DISTCLEANFILES hack, rename ld.texinfo to
	ld.texi, ldint.texinfo to ldint.texi throughout.
	(AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Add info-in-builddir.
	* README: Rename ld.texinfo to ld.texi, ldint.texinfo to
	ldint.texi throughout.
	* gen-doc.texi: Likewise.
	* h8-doc.texi: Likewise.
	* ld.texinfo: Rename to ...
	* ld.texi: ... this.
	* ldint.texinfo: Rename to ...
	* ldint.texi: ... this.
	* Makefile.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* config.in: Re-generate.
	* configure: Re-generate.

libdecnumber/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4.

libiberty/ChangeLog:

	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* configure: Re-generate.
	* config.in: Re-generate.

opcodes/ChangeLog:

	* Makefile.am (AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Remove 1.11.
	* configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* Makefile.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* configure: Re-generate.

readline/ChangeLog.gdb:

	* configure: Re-generate.
	* examples/rlfe/configure: Re-generate.

sim/ChangeLog:

	* All configure.ac: Remove AC_PREREQ.
	* All configure: Re-generate.

zlib/ChangeLog.bin-gdb:

	* configure.ac: Modernize AC_INIT call, remove AC_PREREQ.
	* Makefile.am (AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS): Remove 1.8, cygnus, add
	foreign.
	* Makefile.in: Re-generate.
	* aclocal.m4: Re-generate.
	* configure: Re-generate.

1 files changed, 8683 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/ld/ld.texi b/ld/ld.texi
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40d79dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ld/ld.texi
@@ -0,0 +1,8683 @@
+\input texinfo
+@setfilename ld.info
+@c Copyright (C) 1991-2018 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+@syncodeindex ky cp
+@c man begin INCLUDE
+@include configdoc.texi
+@c (configdoc.texi is generated by the Makefile)
+@include bfdver.texi
+@c man end
+
+@c @smallbook
+
+@macro gcctabopt{body}
+@code{\body\}
+@end macro
+
+@c man begin NAME
+@ifset man
+@c Configure for the generation of man pages
+@set UsesEnvVars
+@set GENERIC
+@set ARM
+@set C6X
+@set H8300
+@set HPPA
+@set M68HC11
+@set M68K
+@set MIPS
+@set MMIX
+@set MSP430
+@set NDS32
+@set NIOSII
+@set POWERPC
+@set POWERPC64
+@set Renesas
+@set S/390
+@set SPU
+@set TICOFF
+@set WIN32
+@set XTENSA
+@end ifset
+@c man end
+
+@ifnottex
+@dircategory Software development
+@direntry
+* Ld: (ld).                       The GNU linker.
+@end direntry
+@end ifnottex
+
+@copying
+This file documents the @sc{gnu} linker LD
+@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
+@value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
+@end ifset
+version @value{VERSION}.
+
+Copyright @copyright{} 1991-2018 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+
+Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
+under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3
+or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
+with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no
+Back-Cover Texts.  A copy of the license is included in the
+section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License''.
+@end copying
+@iftex
+@finalout
+@setchapternewpage odd
+@settitle The GNU linker
+@titlepage
+@title The GNU linker
+@sp 1
+@subtitle @code{ld}
+@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
+@subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
+@end ifset
+@subtitle Version @value{VERSION}
+@author Steve Chamberlain
+@author Ian Lance Taylor
+@page
+
+@tex
+{\parskip=0pt
+\hfill Red Hat Inc\par
+\hfill nickc\@credhat.com, doc\@redhat.com\par
+\hfill {\it The GNU linker}\par
+\hfill Edited by Jeffrey Osier (jeffrey\@cygnus.com)\par
+}
+\global\parindent=0pt % Steve likes it this way.
+@end tex
+
+@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
+@c man begin COPYRIGHT
+Copyright @copyright{} 1991-2018 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+
+Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
+under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3
+or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;
+with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no
+Back-Cover Texts.  A copy of the license is included in the
+section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License''.
+@c man end
+
+@end titlepage
+@end iftex
+@contents
+@c FIXME: Talk about importance of *order* of args, cmds to linker!
+
+@ifnottex
+@node Top
+@top LD
+This file documents the @sc{gnu} linker ld
+@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
+@value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
+@end ifset
+version @value{VERSION}.
+
+This document is distributed under the terms of the GNU Free
+Documentation License version 1.3.  A copy of the license is included
+in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License''.
+
+@menu
+* Overview::                    Overview
+* Invocation::                  Invocation
+* Scripts::                     Linker Scripts
+@ifset GENERIC
+* Machine Dependent::           Machine Dependent Features
+@end ifset
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@ifset H8300
+* H8/300::                      ld and the H8/300
+@end ifset
+@ifset Renesas
+* Renesas::                     ld and other Renesas micros
+@end ifset
+@ifset ARM
+* ARM::				ld and the ARM family
+@end ifset
+@ifset M68HC11
+* M68HC11/68HC12::              ld and the Motorola 68HC11 and 68HC12 families
+@end ifset
+@ifset HPPA
+* HPPA ELF32::                  ld and HPPA 32-bit ELF
+@end ifset
+@ifset M68K
+* M68K::                        ld and Motorola 68K family
+@end ifset
+@ifset MIPS
+* MIPS::                        ld and MIPS family
+@end ifset
+@ifset POWERPC
+* PowerPC ELF32::               ld and PowerPC 32-bit ELF Support
+@end ifset
+@ifset POWERPC64
+* PowerPC64 ELF64::             ld and PowerPC64 64-bit ELF Support
+@end ifset
+@ifset S/390
+* S/390 ELF::			ld and S/390 ELF Support
+@end ifset
+@ifset SPU
+* SPU ELF::			ld and SPU ELF Support
+@end ifset
+@ifset TICOFF
+* TI COFF::                     ld and the TI COFF
+@end ifset
+@ifset WIN32
+* Win32::                       ld and WIN32 (cygwin/mingw)
+@end ifset
+@ifset XTENSA
+* Xtensa::                      ld and Xtensa Processors
+@end ifset
+@end ifclear
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+* BFD::                         BFD
+@end ifclear
+@c Following blank line required for remaining bug in makeinfo conds/menus
+
+* Reporting Bugs::              Reporting Bugs
+* MRI::                         MRI Compatible Script Files
+* GNU Free Documentation License::  GNU Free Documentation License
+* LD Index::                       LD Index
+@end menu
+@end ifnottex
+
+@node Overview
+@chapter Overview
+
+@cindex @sc{gnu} linker
+@cindex what is this?
+
+@ifset man
+@c man begin SYNOPSIS
+ld [@b{options}] @var{objfile} @dots{}
+@c man end
+
+@c man begin SEEALSO
+ar(1), nm(1), objcopy(1), objdump(1), readelf(1) and
+the Info entries for @file{binutils} and
+@file{ld}.
+@c man end
+@end ifset
+
+@c man begin DESCRIPTION
+
+@command{ld} combines a number of object and archive files, relocates
+their data and ties up symbol references. Usually the last step in
+compiling a program is to run @command{ld}.
+
+@command{ld} accepts Linker Command Language files written in
+a superset of AT&T's Link Editor Command Language syntax,
+to provide explicit and total control over the linking process.
+
+@ifset man
+@c For the man only
+This man page does not describe the command language; see the
+@command{ld} entry in @code{info} for full details on the command
+language and on other aspects of the GNU linker.
+@end ifset
+
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+This version of @command{ld} uses the general purpose BFD libraries
+to operate on object files. This allows @command{ld} to read, combine, and
+write object files in many different formats---for example, COFF or
+@code{a.out}.  Different formats may be linked together to produce any
+available kind of object file.  @xref{BFD}, for more information.
+@end ifclear
+
+Aside from its flexibility, the @sc{gnu} linker is more helpful than other
+linkers in providing diagnostic information.  Many linkers abandon
+execution immediately upon encountering an error; whenever possible,
+@command{ld} continues executing, allowing you to identify other errors
+(or, in some cases, to get an output file in spite of the error).
+
+@c man end
+
+@node Invocation
+@chapter Invocation
+
+@c man begin DESCRIPTION
+
+The @sc{gnu} linker @command{ld} is meant to cover a broad range of situations,
+and to be as compatible as possible with other linkers.  As a result,
+you have many choices to control its behavior.
+
+@c man end
+
+@ifset UsesEnvVars
+@menu
+* Options::                     Command Line Options
+* Environment::                 Environment Variables
+@end menu
+
+@node Options
+@section Command Line Options
+@end ifset
+
+@cindex command line
+@cindex options
+
+@c man begin OPTIONS
+
+The linker supports a plethora of command-line options, but in actual
+practice few of them are used in any particular context.
+@cindex standard Unix system
+For instance, a frequent use of @command{ld} is to link standard Unix
+object files on a standard, supported Unix system.  On such a system, to
+link a file @code{hello.o}:
+
+@smallexample
+ld -o @var{output} /lib/crt0.o hello.o -lc
+@end smallexample
+
+This tells @command{ld} to produce a file called @var{output} as the
+result of linking the file @code{/lib/crt0.o} with @code{hello.o} and
+the library @code{libc.a}, which will come from the standard search
+directories.  (See the discussion of the @samp{-l} option below.)
+
+Some of the command-line options to @command{ld} may be specified at any
+point in the command line.  However, options which refer to files, such
+as @samp{-l} or @samp{-T}, cause the file to be read at the point at
+which the option appears in the command line, relative to the object
+files and other file options.  Repeating non-file options with a
+different argument will either have no further effect, or override prior
+occurrences (those further to the left on the command line) of that
+option.  Options which may be meaningfully specified more than once are
+noted in the descriptions below.
+
+@cindex object files
+Non-option arguments are object files or archives which are to be linked
+together.  They may follow, precede, or be mixed in with command-line
+options, except that an object file argument may not be placed between
+an option and its argument.
+
+Usually the linker is invoked with at least one object file, but you can
+specify other forms of binary input files using @samp{-l}, @samp{-R},
+and the script command language.  If @emph{no} binary input files at all
+are specified, the linker does not produce any output, and issues the
+message @samp{No input files}.
+
+If the linker cannot recognize the format of an object file, it will
+assume that it is a linker script.  A script specified in this way
+augments the main linker script used for the link (either the default
+linker script or the one specified by using @samp{-T}).  This feature
+permits the linker to link against a file which appears to be an object
+or an archive, but actually merely defines some symbol values, or uses
+@code{INPUT} or @code{GROUP} to load other objects.  Specifying a
+script in this way merely augments the main linker script, with the
+extra commands placed after the main script; use the @samp{-T} option
+to replace the default linker script entirely, but note the effect of
+the @code{INSERT} command.  @xref{Scripts}.
+
+For options whose names are a single letter,
+option arguments must either follow the option letter without intervening
+whitespace, or be given as separate arguments immediately following the
+option that requires them.
+
+For options whose names are multiple letters, either one dash or two can
+precede the option name; for example, @samp{-trace-symbol} and
+@samp{--trace-symbol} are equivalent.  Note---there is one exception to
+this rule.  Multiple letter options that start with a lower case 'o' can
+only be preceded by two dashes.  This is to reduce confusion with the
+@samp{-o} option.  So for example @samp{-omagic} sets the output file
+name to @samp{magic} whereas @samp{--omagic} sets the NMAGIC flag on the
+output.
+
+Arguments to multiple-letter options must either be separated from the
+option name by an equals sign, or be given as separate arguments
+immediately following the option that requires them.  For example,
+@samp{--trace-symbol foo} and @samp{--trace-symbol=foo} are equivalent.
+Unique abbreviations of the names of multiple-letter options are
+accepted.
+
+Note---if the linker is being invoked indirectly, via a compiler driver
+(e.g. @samp{gcc}) then all the linker command line options should be
+prefixed by @samp{-Wl,} (or whatever is appropriate for the particular
+compiler driver) like this:
+
+@smallexample
+  gcc -Wl,--start-group foo.o bar.o -Wl,--end-group
+@end smallexample
+
+This is important, because otherwise the compiler driver program may
+silently drop the linker options, resulting in a bad link.  Confusion
+may also arise when passing options that require values through a
+driver, as the use of a space between option and argument acts as
+a separator, and causes the driver to pass only the option to the linker
+and the argument to the compiler.  In this case, it is simplest to use
+the joined forms of both single- and multiple-letter options, such as:
+
+@smallexample
+  gcc foo.o bar.o -Wl,-eENTRY -Wl,-Map=a.map
+@end smallexample
+
+Here is a table of the generic command line switches accepted by the GNU
+linker:
+
+@table @gcctabopt
+@include at-file.texi
+
+@kindex -a @var{keyword}
+@item -a @var{keyword}
+This option is supported for HP/UX compatibility.  The @var{keyword}
+argument must be one of the strings @samp{archive}, @samp{shared}, or
+@samp{default}.  @samp{-aarchive} is functionally equivalent to
+@samp{-Bstatic}, and the other two keywords are functionally equivalent
+to @samp{-Bdynamic}.  This option may be used any number of times.
+
+@kindex --audit @var{AUDITLIB}
+@item --audit @var{AUDITLIB}
+Adds @var{AUDITLIB} to the @code{DT_AUDIT} entry of the dynamic section.
+@var{AUDITLIB} is not checked for existence, nor will it use the DT_SONAME
+specified in the library.  If specified multiple times @code{DT_AUDIT}
+will contain a colon separated list of audit interfaces to use. If the linker
+finds an object with an audit entry while searching for shared libraries,
+it will add a corresponding @code{DT_DEPAUDIT} entry in the output file.
+This option is only meaningful on ELF platforms supporting the rtld-audit
+interface.
+
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+@cindex binary input format
+@kindex -b @var{format}
+@kindex --format=@var{format}
+@cindex input format
+@cindex input format
+@item -b @var{input-format}
+@itemx --format=@var{input-format}
+@command{ld} may be configured to support more than one kind of object
+file.  If your @command{ld} is configured this way, you can use the
+@samp{-b} option to specify the binary format for input object files
+that follow this option on the command line.  Even when @command{ld} is
+configured to support alternative object formats, you don't usually need
+to specify this, as @command{ld} should be configured to expect as a
+default input format the most usual format on each machine.
+@var{input-format} is a text string, the name of a particular format
+supported by the BFD libraries.  (You can list the available binary
+formats with @samp{objdump -i}.)
+@xref{BFD}.
+
+You may want to use this option if you are linking files with an unusual
+binary format.  You can also use @samp{-b} to switch formats explicitly (when
+linking object files of different formats), by including
+@samp{-b @var{input-format}} before each group of object files in a
+particular format.
+
+The default format is taken from the environment variable
+@code{GNUTARGET}.
+@ifset UsesEnvVars
+@xref{Environment}.
+@end ifset
+You can also define the input format from a script, using the command
+@code{TARGET};
+@ifclear man
+see @ref{Format Commands}.
+@end ifclear
+@end ifclear
+
+@kindex -c @var{MRI-cmdfile}
+@kindex --mri-script=@var{MRI-cmdfile}
+@cindex compatibility, MRI
+@item -c @var{MRI-commandfile}
+@itemx --mri-script=@var{MRI-commandfile}
+For compatibility with linkers produced by MRI, @command{ld} accepts script
+files written in an alternate, restricted command language, described in
+@ifclear man
+@ref{MRI,,MRI Compatible Script Files}.
+@end ifclear
+@ifset man
+the MRI Compatible Script Files section of GNU ld documentation.
+@end ifset
+Introduce MRI script files with
+the option @samp{-c}; use the @samp{-T} option to run linker
+scripts written in the general-purpose @command{ld} scripting language.
+If @var{MRI-cmdfile} does not exist, @command{ld} looks for it in the directories
+specified by any @samp{-L} options.
+
+@cindex common allocation
+@kindex -d
+@kindex -dc
+@kindex -dp
+@item -d
+@itemx -dc
+@itemx -dp
+These three options are equivalent; multiple forms are supported for
+compatibility with other linkers.  They assign space to common symbols
+even if a relocatable output file is specified (with @samp{-r}).  The
+script command @code{FORCE_COMMON_ALLOCATION} has the same effect.
+@xref{Miscellaneous Commands}.
+
+@kindex --depaudit @var{AUDITLIB}
+@kindex -P @var{AUDITLIB}
+@item --depaudit @var{AUDITLIB}
+@itemx -P @var{AUDITLIB}
+Adds @var{AUDITLIB} to the @code{DT_DEPAUDIT} entry of the dynamic section.
+@var{AUDITLIB} is not checked for existence, nor will it use the DT_SONAME
+specified in the library.  If specified multiple times @code{DT_DEPAUDIT}
+will contain a colon separated list of audit interfaces to use.  This
+option is only meaningful on ELF platforms supporting the rtld-audit interface.
+The -P option is provided for Solaris compatibility.
+
+@cindex entry point, from command line
+@kindex -e @var{entry}
+@kindex --entry=@var{entry}
+@item -e @var{entry}
+@itemx --entry=@var{entry}
+Use @var{entry} as the explicit symbol for beginning execution of your
+program, rather than the default entry point.  If there is no symbol
+named @var{entry}, the linker will try to parse @var{entry} as a number,
+and use that as the entry address (the number will be interpreted in
+base 10; you may use a leading @samp{0x} for base 16, or a leading
+@samp{0} for base 8).  @xref{Entry Point}, for a discussion of defaults
+and other ways of specifying the entry point.
+
+@kindex --exclude-libs
+@item --exclude-libs @var{lib},@var{lib},...
+Specifies a list of archive libraries from which symbols should not be automatically
+exported.  The library names may be delimited by commas or colons.  Specifying
+@code{--exclude-libs ALL} excludes symbols in all archive libraries from
+automatic export.  This option is available only for the i386 PE targeted
+port of the linker and for ELF targeted ports.  For i386 PE, symbols
+explicitly listed in a .def file are still exported, regardless of this
+option.  For ELF targeted ports, symbols affected by this option will
+be treated as hidden.
+
+@kindex --exclude-modules-for-implib
+@item --exclude-modules-for-implib @var{module},@var{module},...
+Specifies a list of object files or archive members, from which symbols
+should not be automatically exported, but which should be copied wholesale
+into the import library being generated during the link.  The module names
+may be delimited by commas or colons, and must match exactly the filenames
+used by @command{ld} to open the files; for archive members, this is simply
+the member name, but for object files the name listed must include and
+match precisely any path used to specify the input file on the linker's
+command-line.  This option is available only for the i386 PE targeted port
+of the linker.  Symbols explicitly listed in a .def file are still exported,
+regardless of this option.
+
+@cindex dynamic symbol table
+@kindex -E
+@kindex --export-dynamic
+@kindex --no-export-dynamic
+@item -E
+@itemx --export-dynamic
+@itemx --no-export-dynamic
+When creating a dynamically linked executable, using the @option{-E}
+option or the @option{--export-dynamic} option causes the linker to add
+all symbols to the dynamic symbol table.  The dynamic symbol table is the
+set of symbols which are visible from dynamic objects at run time.
+
+If you do not use either of these options (or use the
+@option{--no-export-dynamic} option to restore the default behavior), the
+dynamic symbol table will normally contain only those symbols which are
+referenced by some dynamic object mentioned in the link.
+
+If you use @code{dlopen} to load a dynamic object which needs to refer
+back to the symbols defined by the program, rather than some other
+dynamic object, then you will probably need to use this option when
+linking the program itself.
+
+You can also use the dynamic list to control what symbols should
+be added to the dynamic symbol table if the output format supports it.
+See the description of @samp{--dynamic-list}.
+
+Note that this option is specific to ELF targeted ports.  PE targets
+support a similar function to export all symbols from a DLL or EXE; see
+the description of @samp{--export-all-symbols} below.
+
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+@cindex big-endian objects
+@cindex endianness
+@kindex -EB
+@item -EB
+Link big-endian objects.  This affects the default output format.
+
+@cindex little-endian objects
+@kindex -EL
+@item -EL
+Link little-endian objects.  This affects the default output format.
+@end ifclear
+
+@kindex -f @var{name}
+@kindex --auxiliary=@var{name}
+@item -f @var{name}
+@itemx --auxiliary=@var{name}
+When creating an ELF shared object, set the internal DT_AUXILIARY field
+to the specified name.  This tells the dynamic linker that the symbol
+table of the shared object should be used as an auxiliary filter on the
+symbol table of the shared object @var{name}.
+
+If you later link a program against this filter object, then, when you
+run the program, the dynamic linker will see the DT_AUXILIARY field.  If
+the dynamic linker resolves any symbols from the filter object, it will
+first check whether there is a definition in the shared object
+@var{name}.  If there is one, it will be used instead of the definition
+in the filter object.  The shared object @var{name} need not exist.
+Thus the shared object @var{name} may be used to provide an alternative
+implementation of certain functions, perhaps for debugging or for
+machine specific performance.
+
+This option may be specified more than once.  The DT_AUXILIARY entries
+will be created in the order in which they appear on the command line.
+
+@kindex -F @var{name}
+@kindex --filter=@var{name}
+@item -F @var{name}
+@itemx --filter=@var{name}
+When creating an ELF shared object, set the internal DT_FILTER field to
+the specified name.  This tells the dynamic linker that the symbol table
+of the shared object which is being created should be used as a filter
+on the symbol table of the shared object @var{name}.
+
+If you later link a program against this filter object, then, when you
+run the program, the dynamic linker will see the DT_FILTER field.  The
+dynamic linker will resolve symbols according to the symbol table of the
+filter object as usual, but it will actually link to the definitions
+found in the shared object @var{name}.  Thus the filter object can be
+used to select a subset of the symbols provided by the object
+@var{name}.
+
+Some older linkers used the @option{-F} option throughout a compilation
+toolchain for specifying object-file format for both input and output
+object files.
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+The @sc{gnu} linker uses other mechanisms for this purpose: the
+@option{-b}, @option{--format}, @option{--oformat} options, the
+@code{TARGET} command in linker scripts, and the @code{GNUTARGET}
+environment variable.
+@end ifclear
+The @sc{gnu} linker will ignore the @option{-F} option when not
+creating an ELF shared object.
+
+@cindex finalization function
+@kindex -fini=@var{name}
+@item -fini=@var{name}
+When creating an ELF executable or shared object, call NAME when the
+executable or shared object is unloaded, by setting DT_FINI to the
+address of the function.  By default, the linker uses @code{_fini} as
+the function to call.
+
+@kindex -g
+@item -g
+Ignored.  Provided for compatibility with other tools.
+
+@kindex -G @var{value}
+@kindex --gpsize=@var{value}
+@cindex object size
+@item -G @var{value}
+@itemx --gpsize=@var{value}
+Set the maximum size of objects to be optimized using the GP register to
+@var{size}.  This is only meaningful for object file formats such as
+MIPS ELF that support putting large and small objects into different
+sections.  This is ignored for other object file formats.
+
+@cindex runtime library name
+@kindex -h @var{name}
+@kindex -soname=@var{name}
+@item -h @var{name}
+@itemx -soname=@var{name}
+When creating an ELF shared object, set the internal DT_SONAME field to
+the specified name.  When an executable is linked with a shared object
+which has a DT_SONAME field, then when the executable is run the dynamic
+linker will attempt to load the shared object specified by the DT_SONAME
+field rather than the using the file name given to the linker.
+
+@kindex -i
+@cindex incremental link
+@item -i
+Perform an incremental link (same as option @samp{-r}).
+
+@cindex initialization function
+@kindex -init=@var{name}
+@item -init=@var{name}
+When creating an ELF executable or shared object, call NAME when the
+executable or shared object is loaded, by setting DT_INIT to the address
+of the function.  By default, the linker uses @code{_init} as the
+function to call.
+
+@cindex archive files, from cmd line
+@kindex -l @var{namespec}
+@kindex --library=@var{namespec}
+@item -l @var{namespec}
+@itemx --library=@var{namespec}
+Add the archive or object file specified by @var{namespec} to the
+list of files to link.  This option may be used any number of times.
+If @var{namespec} is of the form @file{:@var{filename}}, @command{ld}
+will search the library path for a file called @var{filename}, otherwise it
+will search the library path for a file called @file{lib@var{namespec}.a}.
+
+On systems which support shared libraries, @command{ld} may also search for
+files other than @file{lib@var{namespec}.a}.  Specifically, on ELF
+and SunOS systems, @command{ld} will search a directory for a library
+called @file{lib@var{namespec}.so} before searching for one called
+@file{lib@var{namespec}.a}.  (By convention, a @code{.so} extension
+indicates a shared library.)  Note that this behavior does not apply
+to @file{:@var{filename}}, which always specifies a file called
+@var{filename}.
+
+The linker will search an archive only once, at the location where it is
+specified on the command line.  If the archive defines a symbol which
+was undefined in some object which appeared before the archive on the
+command line, the linker will include the appropriate file(s) from the
+archive.  However, an undefined symbol in an object appearing later on
+the command line will not cause the linker to search the archive again.
+
+See the @option{-(} option for a way to force the linker to search
+archives multiple times.
+
+You may list the same archive multiple times on the command line.
+
+@ifset GENERIC
+This type of archive searching is standard for Unix linkers.  However,
+if you are using @command{ld} on AIX, note that it is different from the
+behaviour of the AIX linker.
+@end ifset
+
+@cindex search directory, from cmd line
+@kindex -L @var{dir}
+@kindex --library-path=@var{dir}
+@item -L @var{searchdir}
+@itemx --library-path=@var{searchdir}
+Add path @var{searchdir} to the list of paths that @command{ld} will search
+for archive libraries and @command{ld} control scripts.  You may use this
+option any number of times.  The directories are searched in the order
+in which they are specified on the command line.  Directories specified
+on the command line are searched before the default directories.  All
+@option{-L} options apply to all @option{-l} options, regardless of the
+order in which the options appear.  @option{-L} options do not affect
+how @command{ld} searches for a linker script unless @option{-T}
+option is specified.
+
+If @var{searchdir} begins with @code{=} or @code{$SYSROOT}, then this
+prefix will be replaced by the @dfn{sysroot prefix}, controlled by the
+@samp{--sysroot} option, or specified when the linker is configured.
+
+@ifset UsesEnvVars
+The default set of paths searched (without being specified with
+@samp{-L}) depends on which emulation mode @command{ld} is using, and in
+some cases also on how it was configured.  @xref{Environment}.
+@end ifset
+
+The paths can also be specified in a link script with the
+@code{SEARCH_DIR} command.  Directories specified this way are searched
+at the point in which the linker script appears in the command line.
+
+@cindex emulation
+@kindex -m @var{emulation}
+@item -m @var{emulation}
+Emulate the @var{emulation} linker.  You can list the available
+emulations with the @samp{--verbose} or @samp{-V} options.
+
+If the @samp{-m} option is not used, the emulation is taken from the
+@code{LDEMULATION} environment variable, if that is defined.
+
+Otherwise, the default emulation depends upon how the linker was
+configured.
+
+@cindex link map
+@kindex -M
+@kindex --print-map
+@item -M
+@itemx --print-map
+Print a link map to the standard output.  A link map provides
+information about the link, including the following:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+Where object files are mapped into memory.
+@item
+How common symbols are allocated.
+@item
+All archive members included in the link, with a mention of the symbol
+which caused the archive member to be brought in.
+@item
+The values assigned to symbols.
+
+Note - symbols whose values are computed by an expression which
+involves a reference to a previous value of the same symbol may not
+have correct result displayed in the link map.  This is because the
+linker discards intermediate results and only retains the final value
+of an expression.  Under such circumstances the linker will display
+the final value enclosed by square brackets.  Thus for example a
+linker script containing:
+
+@smallexample
+   foo = 1
+   foo = foo * 4
+   foo = foo + 8
+@end smallexample
+
+will produce the following output in the link map if the @option{-M}
+option is used:
+
+@smallexample
+   0x00000001                foo = 0x1
+   [0x0000000c]                foo = (foo * 0x4)
+   [0x0000000c]                foo = (foo + 0x8)
+@end smallexample
+
+See @ref{Expressions} for more information about expressions in linker
+scripts.
+@end itemize
+
+@kindex -n
+@cindex read-only text
+@cindex NMAGIC
+@kindex --nmagic
+@item -n
+@itemx --nmagic
+Turn off page alignment of sections, and disable linking against shared
+libraries.  If the output format supports Unix style magic numbers,
+mark the output as @code{NMAGIC}.
+
+@kindex -N
+@kindex --omagic
+@cindex read/write from cmd line
+@cindex OMAGIC
+@item -N
+@itemx --omagic
+Set the text and data sections to be readable and writable.  Also, do
+not page-align the data segment, and disable linking against shared
+libraries.  If the output format supports Unix style magic numbers,
+mark the output as @code{OMAGIC}. Note: Although a writable text section
+is allowed for PE-COFF targets, it does not conform to the format
+specification published by Microsoft.
+
+@kindex --no-omagic
+@cindex OMAGIC
+@item --no-omagic
+This option negates most of the effects of the @option{-N} option.  It
+sets the text section to be read-only, and forces the data segment to
+be page-aligned.  Note - this option does not enable linking against
+shared libraries.  Use @option{-Bdynamic} for this.
+
+@kindex -o @var{output}
+@kindex --output=@var{output}
+@cindex naming the output file
+@item -o @var{output}
+@itemx --output=@var{output}
+Use @var{output} as the name for the program produced by @command{ld}; if this
+option is not specified, the name @file{a.out} is used by default.  The
+script command @code{OUTPUT} can also specify the output file name.
+
+@kindex -O @var{level}
+@cindex generating optimized output
+@item -O @var{level}
+If @var{level} is a numeric values greater than zero @command{ld} optimizes
+the output.  This might take significantly longer and therefore probably
+should only be enabled for the final binary.  At the moment this
+option only affects ELF shared library generation.  Future releases of
+the linker may make more use of this option.  Also currently there is
+no difference in the linker's behaviour for different non-zero values
+of this option.  Again this may change with future releases.
+
+@kindex -plugin @var{name}
+@item -plugin @var{name}
+Involve a plugin in the linking process.  The @var{name} parameter is
+the absolute filename of the plugin.  Usually this parameter is
+automatically added by the complier, when using link time
+optimization, but users can also add their own plugins if they so
+wish.
+
+Note that the location of the compiler originated plugins is different
+from the place where the @command{ar}, @command{nm} and
+@command{ranlib} programs search for their plugins.  In order for
+those commands to make use of a compiler based plugin it must first be
+copied into the @file{$@{libdir@}/bfd-plugins} directory.  All gcc
+based linker plugins are backward compatible, so it is sufficient to
+just copy in the newest one.
+
+@kindex --push-state
+@cindex push state governing input file handling
+@item --push-state
+The @option{--push-state} allows to preserve the current state of the
+flags which govern the input file handling so that they can all be
+restored with one corresponding @option{--pop-state} option.
+
+The option which are covered are: @option{-Bdynamic}, @option{-Bstatic},
+@option{-dn}, @option{-dy}, @option{-call_shared}, @option{-non_shared},
+@option{-static}, @option{-N}, @option{-n}, @option{--whole-archive},
+@option{--no-whole-archive}, @option{-r}, @option{-Ur},
+@option{--copy-dt-needed-entries}, @option{--no-copy-dt-needed-entries},
+@option{--as-needed}, @option{--no-as-needed}, and @option{-a}.
+
+One target for this option are specifications for @file{pkg-config}.  When
+used with the @option{--libs} option all possibly needed libraries are
+listed and then possibly linked with all the time.  It is better to return
+something as follows:
+
+@smallexample
+-Wl,--push-state,--as-needed -libone -libtwo -Wl,--pop-state
+@end smallexample
+
+@kindex --pop-state
+@cindex pop state governing input file handling
+@item --pop-state
+Undoes the effect of --push-state, restores the previous values of the
+flags governing input file handling.
+
+@kindex -q
+@kindex --emit-relocs
+@cindex retain relocations in final executable
+@item -q
+@itemx --emit-relocs
+Leave relocation sections and contents in fully linked executables.
+Post link analysis and optimization tools may need this information in
+order to perform correct modifications of executables.  This results
+in larger executables.
+
+This option is currently only supported on ELF platforms.
+
+@kindex --force-dynamic
+@cindex forcing the creation of dynamic sections
+@item --force-dynamic
+Force the output file to have dynamic sections.  This option is specific
+to VxWorks targets.
+
+@cindex partial link
+@cindex relocatable output
+@kindex -r
+@kindex --relocatable
+@item -r
+@itemx --relocatable
+Generate relocatable output---i.e., generate an output file that can in
+turn serve as input to @command{ld}.  This is often called @dfn{partial
+linking}.  As a side effect, in environments that support standard Unix
+magic numbers, this option also sets the output file's magic number to
+@code{OMAGIC}.
+@c ; see @option{-N}.
+If this option is not specified, an absolute file is produced.  When
+linking C++ programs, this option @emph{will not} resolve references to
+constructors; to do that, use @samp{-Ur}.
+
+When an input file does not have the same format as the output file,
+partial linking is only supported if that input file does not contain any
+relocations.  Different output formats can have further restrictions; for
+example some @code{a.out}-based formats do not support partial linking
+with input files in other formats at all.
+
+This option does the same thing as @samp{-i}.
+
+@kindex -R @var{file}
+@kindex --just-symbols=@var{file}
+@cindex symbol-only input
+@item -R @var{filename}
+@itemx --just-symbols=@var{filename}
+Read symbol names and their addresses from @var{filename}, but do not
+relocate it or include it in the output.  This allows your output file
+to refer symbolically to absolute locations of memory defined in other
+programs.  You may use this option more than once.
+
+For compatibility with other ELF linkers, if the @option{-R} option is
+followed by a directory name, rather than a file name, it is treated as
+the @option{-rpath} option.
+
+@kindex -s
+@kindex --strip-all
+@cindex strip all symbols
+@item -s
+@itemx --strip-all
+Omit all symbol information from the output file.
+
+@kindex -S
+@kindex --strip-debug
+@cindex strip debugger symbols
+@item -S
+@itemx --strip-debug
+Omit debugger symbol information (but not all symbols) from the output file.
+
+@kindex --strip-discarded
+@kindex --no-strip-discarded
+@item --strip-discarded
+@itemx --no-strip-discarded
+Omit (or do not omit) global symbols defined in discarded sections.
+Enabled by default.
+
+@kindex -t
+@kindex --trace
+@cindex input files, displaying
+@item -t
+@itemx --trace
+Print the names of the input files as @command{ld} processes them.
+
+@kindex -T @var{script}
+@kindex --script=@var{script}
+@cindex script files
+@item -T @var{scriptfile}
+@itemx --script=@var{scriptfile}
+Use @var{scriptfile} as the linker script.  This script replaces
+@command{ld}'s default linker script (rather than adding to it), so
+@var{commandfile} must specify everything necessary to describe the
+output file.  @xref{Scripts}.  If @var{scriptfile} does not exist in
+the current directory, @code{ld} looks for it in the directories
+specified by any preceding @samp{-L} options.  Multiple @samp{-T}
+options accumulate.
+
+@kindex -dT @var{script}
+@kindex --default-script=@var{script}
+@cindex script files
+@item -dT @var{scriptfile}
+@itemx --default-script=@var{scriptfile}
+Use @var{scriptfile} as the default linker script.  @xref{Scripts}.
+
+This option is similar to the @option{--script} option except that
+processing of the script is delayed until after the rest of the
+command line has been processed.  This allows options placed after the
+@option{--default-script} option on the command line to affect the
+behaviour of the linker script, which can be important when the linker
+command line cannot be directly controlled by the user.  (eg because
+the command line is being constructed by another tool, such as
+@samp{gcc}).
+
+@kindex -u @var{symbol}
+@kindex --undefined=@var{symbol}
+@cindex undefined symbol
+@item -u @var{symbol}
+@itemx --undefined=@var{symbol}
+Force @var{symbol} to be entered in the output file as an undefined
+symbol.  Doing this may, for example, trigger linking of additional
+modules from standard libraries.  @samp{-u} may be repeated with
+different option arguments to enter additional undefined symbols.  This
+option is equivalent to the @code{EXTERN} linker script command.
+
+If this option is being used to force additional modules to be pulled
+into the link, and if it is an error for the symbol to remain
+undefined, then the option @option{--require-defined} should be used
+instead.
+
+@kindex --require-defined=@var{symbol}
+@cindex symbols, require defined
+@cindex defined symbol
+@item --require-defined=@var{symbol}
+Require that @var{symbol} is defined in the output file.  This option
+is the same as option @option{--undefined} except that if @var{symbol}
+is not defined in the output file then the linker will issue an error
+and exit.  The same effect can be achieved in a linker script by using
+@code{EXTERN}, @code{ASSERT} and @code{DEFINED} together.  This option
+can be used multiple times to require additional symbols.
+
+@kindex -Ur
+@cindex constructors
+@item -Ur
+For anything other than C++ programs, this option is equivalent to
+@samp{-r}: it generates relocatable output---i.e., an output file that can in
+turn serve as input to @command{ld}.  When linking C++ programs, @samp{-Ur}
+@emph{does} resolve references to constructors, unlike @samp{-r}.
+It does not work to use @samp{-Ur} on files that were themselves linked
+with @samp{-Ur}; once the constructor table has been built, it cannot
+be added to.  Use @samp{-Ur} only for the last partial link, and
+@samp{-r} for the others.
+
+@kindex --orphan-handling=@var{MODE}
+@cindex orphan sections
+@cindex sections, orphan
+@item --orphan-handling=@var{MODE}
+Control how orphan sections are handled.  An orphan section is one not
+specifically mentioned in a linker script.  @xref{Orphan Sections}.
+
+@var{MODE} can have any of the following values:
+
+@table @code
+@item place
+Orphan sections are placed into a suitable output section following
+the strategy described in @ref{Orphan Sections}.  The option
+@samp{--unique} also affects how sections are placed.
+
+@item discard
+All orphan sections are discarded, by placing them in the
+@samp{/DISCARD/} section (@pxref{Output Section Discarding}).
+
+@item warn
+The linker will place the orphan section as for @code{place} and also
+issue a warning.
+
+@item error
+The linker will exit with an error if any orphan section is found.
+@end table
+
+The default if @samp{--orphan-handling} is not given is @code{place}.
+
+@kindex --unique[=@var{SECTION}]
+@item --unique[=@var{SECTION}]
+Creates a separate output section for every input section matching
+@var{SECTION}, or if the optional wildcard @var{SECTION} argument is
+missing, for every orphan input section.  An orphan section is one not
+specifically mentioned in a linker script.  You may use this option
+multiple times on the command line;  It prevents the normal merging of
+input sections with the same name, overriding output section assignments
+in a linker script.
+
+@kindex -v
+@kindex -V
+@kindex --version
+@cindex version
+@item -v
+@itemx --version
+@itemx -V
+Display the version number for @command{ld}.  The @option{-V} option also
+lists the supported emulations.
+
+@kindex -x
+@kindex --discard-all
+@cindex deleting local symbols
+@item -x
+@itemx --discard-all
+Delete all local symbols.
+
+@kindex -X
+@kindex --discard-locals
+@cindex local symbols, deleting
+@item -X
+@itemx --discard-locals
+Delete all temporary local symbols.  (These symbols start with
+system-specific local label prefixes, typically @samp{.L} for ELF systems
+or @samp{L} for traditional a.out systems.)
+
+@kindex -y @var{symbol}
+@kindex --trace-symbol=@var{symbol}
+@cindex symbol tracing
+@item -y @var{symbol}
+@itemx --trace-symbol=@var{symbol}
+Print the name of each linked file in which @var{symbol} appears.  This
+option may be given any number of times.  On many systems it is necessary
+to prepend an underscore.
+
+This option is useful when you have an undefined symbol in your link but
+don't know where the reference is coming from.
+
+@kindex -Y @var{path}
+@item -Y @var{path}
+Add @var{path} to the default library search path.  This option exists
+for Solaris compatibility.
+
+@kindex -z @var{keyword}
+@item -z @var{keyword}
+The recognized keywords are:
+@table @samp
+
+@item bndplt
+Always generate BND prefix in PLT entries. Supported for Linux/x86_64.
+
+@item call-nop=prefix-addr
+@itemx call-nop=suffix-nop
+@itemx call-nop=prefix-@var{byte}
+@itemx call-nop=suffix-@var{byte}
+Specify the 1-byte @code{NOP} padding when transforming indirect call
+to a locally defined function, foo, via its GOT slot.
+@option{call-nop=prefix-addr} generates @code{0x67 call foo}.
+@option{call-nop=suffix-nop} generates @code{call foo 0x90}.
+@option{call-nop=prefix-@var{byte}} generates @code{@var{byte} call foo}.
+@option{call-nop=suffix-@var{byte}} generates @code{call foo @var{byte}}.
+Supported for i386 and x86_64.
+
+@item combreloc
+@itemx nocombreloc
+Combine multiple dynamic relocation sections and sort to improve
+dynamic symbol lookup caching.  Do not do this if @samp{nocombreloc}.
+
+@item common
+@itemx nocommon
+Generate common symbols with STT_COMMON type during a relocatable
+link.  Use STT_OBJECT type if @samp{nocommon}.
+
+@item common-page-size=@var{value}
+Set the page size most commonly used to @var{value}.  Memory image
+layout will be optimized to minimize memory pages if the system is
+using pages of this size.
+
+@item defs
+Report unresolved symbol references from regular object files.  This
+is done even if the linker is creating a non-symbolic shared library.
+This option is the inverse of @samp{-z undefs}.
+
+@item dynamic-undefined-weak
+@itemx nodynamic-undefined-weak
+Make undefined weak symbols dynamic when building a dynamic object,
+if they are referenced from a regular object file and not forced local
+by symbol visibility or versioning.  Do not make them dynamic if
+@samp{nodynamic-undefined-weak}.  If neither option is given, a target
+may default to either option being in force, or make some other
+selection of undefined weak symbols dynamic.  Not all targets support
+these options.
+
+@item execstack
+Marks the object as requiring executable stack.
+
+@item global
+This option is only meaningful when building a shared object.  It makes
+the symbols defined by this shared object available for symbol resolution
+of subsequently loaded libraries.
+
+@item globalaudit
+This option is only meaningful when building a dynamic executable.
+This option marks the executable as requiring global auditing by
+setting the @code{DF_1_GLOBAUDIT} bit in the @code{DT_FLAGS_1} dynamic
+tag.  Global auditing requires that any auditing library defined via
+the @option{--depaudit} or @option{-P} command line options be run for
+all dynamic objects loaded by the application.
+
+@item ibtplt
+Generate Intel Indirect Branch Tracking (IBT) enabled PLT entries.
+Supported for Linux/i386 and Linux/x86_64.
+
+@item ibt
+Generate GNU_PROPERTY_X86_FEATURE_1_IBT in .note.gnu.property section
+to indicate compatibility with IBT.  This also implies @option{ibtplt}.
+Supported for Linux/i386 and Linux/x86_64.
+
+@item initfirst
+This option is only meaningful when building a shared object.
+It marks the object so that its runtime initialization will occur
+before the runtime initialization of any other objects brought into
+the process at the same time.  Similarly the runtime finalization of
+the object will occur after the runtime finalization of any other
+objects.
+
+@item interpose
+Specify that the dynamic loader should modify its symbol search order
+so that symbols in this shared library interpose all other shared
+libraries not so marked.
+
+@item lazy
+When generating an executable or shared library, mark it to tell the
+dynamic linker to defer function call resolution to the point when
+the function is called (lazy binding), rather than at load time.
+Lazy binding is the default.
+
+@item loadfltr
+Specify that the object's filters be processed immediately at runtime.
+
+@item max-page-size=@var{value}
+Set the maximum memory page size supported to @var{value}.
+
+@item muldefs
+Allow multiple definitions.
+
+@item nocopyreloc
+Disable linker generated .dynbss variables used in place of variables
+defined in shared libraries.  May result in dynamic text relocations.
+
+@item nodefaultlib
+Specify that the dynamic loader search for dependencies of this object
+should ignore any default library search paths.
+
+@item nodelete
+Specify that the object shouldn't be unloaded at runtime.
+
+@item nodlopen
+Specify that the object is not available to @code{dlopen}.
+
+@item nodump
+Specify that the object can not be dumped by @code{dldump}.
+
+@item noexecstack
+Marks the object as not requiring executable stack.
+
+@item noextern-protected-data
+Don't treat protected data symbols as external when building a shared
+library.  This option overrides the linker backend default.  It can be
+used to work around incorrect relocations against protected data symbols
+generated by compiler.  Updates on protected data symbols by another
+module aren't visible to the resulting shared library.  Supported for
+i386 and x86-64.
+
+@item noreloc-overflow
+Disable relocation overflow check.  This can be used to disable
+relocation overflow check if there will be no dynamic relocation
+overflow at run-time.  Supported for x86_64.
+
+@item now
+When generating an executable or shared library, mark it to tell the
+dynamic linker to resolve all symbols when the program is started, or
+when the shared library is loaded by dlopen, instead of deferring
+function call resolution to the point when the function is first
+called.
+
+@item origin
+Specify that the object requires @samp{$ORIGIN} handling in paths.
+
+@item relro
+@itemx norelro
+Create an ELF @code{PT_GNU_RELRO} segment header in the object.  This
+specifies a memory segment that should be made read-only after
+relocation, if supported.  Specifying @samp{common-page-size} smaller
+than the system page size will render this protection ineffective.
+Don't create an ELF @code{PT_GNU_RELRO} segment if @samp{norelro}.
+
+@item separate-code
+@itemx noseparate-code
+Create separate code @code{PT_LOAD} segment header in the object.  This
+specifies a memory segment that should contain only instructions and must
+be in wholly disjoint pages from any other data.  Don't create separate
+code @code{PT_LOAD} segment if @samp{noseparate-code} is used.
+
+@item shstk
+Generate GNU_PROPERTY_X86_FEATURE_1_SHSTK in .note.gnu.property section
+to indicate compatibility with Intel Shadow Stack.  Supported for
+Linux/i386 and Linux/x86_64.
+
+@item stack-size=@var{value}
+Specify a stack size for an ELF @code{PT_GNU_STACK} segment.
+Specifying zero will override any default non-zero sized
+@code{PT_GNU_STACK} segment creation.
+
+@item text
+@itemx notext
+@itemx textoff
+Report an error if DT_TEXTREL is set, i.e., if the binary has dynamic
+relocations in read-only sections.  Don't report an error if
+@samp{notext} or @samp{textoff}.
+
+@item undefs
+Do not report unresolved symbol references from regular object files,
+either when creating an executable, or when creating a shared library.
+This option is the inverse of @samp{-z defs}.
+
+@end table
+
+Other keywords are ignored for Solaris compatibility.
+
+@kindex -(
+@cindex groups of archives
+@item -( @var{archives} -)
+@itemx --start-group @var{archives} --end-group
+The @var{archives} should be a list of archive files.  They may be
+either explicit file names, or @samp{-l} options.
+
+The specified archives are searched repeatedly until no new undefined
+references are created.  Normally, an archive is searched only once in
+the order that it is specified on the command line.  If a symbol in that
+archive is needed to resolve an undefined symbol referred to by an
+object in an archive that appears later on the command line, the linker
+would not be able to resolve that reference.  By grouping the archives,
+they all be searched repeatedly until all possible references are
+resolved.
+
+Using this option has a significant performance cost.  It is best to use
+it only when there are unavoidable circular references between two or
+more archives.
+
+@kindex --accept-unknown-input-arch
+@kindex --no-accept-unknown-input-arch
+@item --accept-unknown-input-arch
+@itemx --no-accept-unknown-input-arch
+Tells the linker to accept input files whose architecture cannot be
+recognised.  The assumption is that the user knows what they are doing
+and deliberately wants to link in these unknown input files.  This was
+the default behaviour of the linker, before release 2.14.  The default
+behaviour from release 2.14 onwards is to reject such input files, and
+so the @samp{--accept-unknown-input-arch} option has been added to
+restore the old behaviour.
+
+@kindex --as-needed
+@kindex --no-as-needed
+@item --as-needed
+@itemx --no-as-needed
+This option affects ELF DT_NEEDED tags for dynamic libraries mentioned
+on the command line after the @option{--as-needed} option.  Normally
+the linker will add a DT_NEEDED tag for each dynamic library mentioned
+on the command line, regardless of whether the library is actually
+needed or not.  @option{--as-needed} causes a DT_NEEDED tag to only be
+emitted for a library that @emph{at that point in the link} satisfies a
+non-weak undefined symbol reference from a regular object file or, if
+the library is not found in the DT_NEEDED lists of other needed libraries, a
+non-weak undefined symbol reference from another needed dynamic library.
+Object files or libraries appearing on the command line @emph{after}
+the library in question do not affect whether the library is seen as
+needed.  This is similar to the rules for extraction of object files
+from archives.  @option{--no-as-needed} restores the default behaviour.
+
+@kindex --add-needed
+@kindex --no-add-needed
+@item --add-needed
+@itemx --no-add-needed
+These two options have been deprecated because of the similarity of
+their names to the @option{--as-needed} and @option{--no-as-needed}
+options.  They have been replaced by @option{--copy-dt-needed-entries}
+and @option{--no-copy-dt-needed-entries}.
+
+@kindex -assert @var{keyword}
+@item -assert @var{keyword}
+This option is ignored for SunOS compatibility.
+
+@kindex -Bdynamic
+@kindex -dy
+@kindex -call_shared
+@item -Bdynamic
+@itemx -dy
+@itemx -call_shared
+Link against dynamic libraries.  This is only meaningful on platforms
+for which shared libraries are supported.  This option is normally the
+default on such platforms.  The different variants of this option are
+for compatibility with various systems.  You may use this option
+multiple times on the command line: it affects library searching for
+@option{-l} options which follow it.
+
+@kindex -Bgroup
+@item -Bgroup
+Set the @code{DF_1_GROUP} flag in the @code{DT_FLAGS_1} entry in the dynamic
+section.  This causes the runtime linker to handle lookups in this
+object and its dependencies to be performed only inside the group.
+@option{--unresolved-symbols=report-all} is implied.  This option is
+only meaningful on ELF platforms which support shared libraries.
+
+@kindex -Bstatic
+@kindex -dn
+@kindex -non_shared
+@kindex -static
+@item -Bstatic
+@itemx -dn
+@itemx -non_shared
+@itemx -static
+Do not link against shared libraries.  This is only meaningful on
+platforms for which shared libraries are supported.  The different
+variants of this option are for compatibility with various systems.  You
+may use this option multiple times on the command line: it affects
+library searching for @option{-l} options which follow it.  This
+option also implies @option{--unresolved-symbols=report-all}.  This
+option can be used with @option{-shared}.  Doing so means that a
+shared library is being created but that all of the library's external
+references must be resolved by pulling in entries from static
+libraries.
+
+@kindex -Bsymbolic
+@item -Bsymbolic
+When creating a shared library, bind references to global symbols to the
+definition within the shared library, if any.  Normally, it is possible
+for a program linked against a shared library to override the definition
+within the shared library.  This option can also be used with the
+@option{--export-dynamic} option, when creating a position independent
+executable, to bind references to global symbols to the definition within
+the executable.  This option is only meaningful on ELF platforms which
+support shared libraries and position independent executables.
+
+@kindex -Bsymbolic-functions
+@item -Bsymbolic-functions
+When creating a shared library, bind references to global function
+symbols to the definition within the shared library, if any.
+This option can also be used with the @option{--export-dynamic} option,
+when creating a position independent executable, to bind references
+to global function symbols to the definition within the executable.
+This option is only meaningful on ELF platforms which support shared
+libraries and position independent executables.
+
+@kindex --dynamic-list=@var{dynamic-list-file}
+@item --dynamic-list=@var{dynamic-list-file}
+Specify the name of a dynamic list file to the linker.  This is
+typically used when creating shared libraries to specify a list of
+global symbols whose references shouldn't be bound to the definition
+within the shared library, or creating dynamically linked executables
+to specify a list of symbols which should be added to the symbol table
+in the executable.  This option is only meaningful on ELF platforms
+which support shared libraries.
+
+The format of the dynamic list is the same as the version node without
+scope and node name.  See @ref{VERSION} for more information.
+
+@kindex --dynamic-list-data
+@item --dynamic-list-data
+Include all global data symbols to the dynamic list.
+
+@kindex --dynamic-list-cpp-new
+@item --dynamic-list-cpp-new
+Provide the builtin dynamic list for C++ operator new and delete.  It
+is mainly useful for building shared libstdc++.
+
+@kindex --dynamic-list-cpp-typeinfo
+@item --dynamic-list-cpp-typeinfo
+Provide the builtin dynamic list for C++ runtime type identification.
+
+@kindex --check-sections
+@kindex --no-check-sections
+@item --check-sections
+@itemx --no-check-sections
+Asks the linker @emph{not} to check section addresses after they have
+been assigned to see if there are any overlaps.  Normally the linker will
+perform this check, and if it finds any overlaps it will produce
+suitable error messages.  The linker does know about, and does make
+allowances for sections in overlays.  The default behaviour can be
+restored by using the command line switch @option{--check-sections}.
+Section overlap is not usually checked for relocatable links.  You can
+force checking in that case by using the @option{--check-sections}
+option.
+
+@kindex --copy-dt-needed-entries
+@kindex --no-copy-dt-needed-entries
+@item --copy-dt-needed-entries
+@itemx --no-copy-dt-needed-entries
+This option affects the treatment of dynamic libraries referred to
+by DT_NEEDED tags @emph{inside} ELF dynamic libraries mentioned on the
+command line.  Normally the linker won't add a DT_NEEDED tag to the
+output binary for each library mentioned in a DT_NEEDED tag in an
+input dynamic library.  With @option{--copy-dt-needed-entries}
+specified on the command line however any dynamic libraries that
+follow it will have their DT_NEEDED entries added.  The default
+behaviour can be restored with @option{--no-copy-dt-needed-entries}.
+
+This option also has an effect on the resolution of symbols in dynamic
+libraries.  With @option{--copy-dt-needed-entries} dynamic libraries
+mentioned on the command line will be recursively searched, following
+their DT_NEEDED tags to other libraries, in order to resolve symbols
+required by the output binary.  With the default setting however
+the searching of dynamic libraries that follow it will stop with the
+dynamic library itself.  No DT_NEEDED links will be traversed to resolve
+symbols.
+
+@cindex cross reference table
+@kindex --cref
+@item --cref
+Output a cross reference table.  If a linker map file is being
+generated, the cross reference table is printed to the map file.
+Otherwise, it is printed on the standard output.
+
+The format of the table is intentionally simple, so that it may be
+easily processed by a script if necessary.  The symbols are printed out,
+sorted by name.  For each symbol, a list of file names is given.  If the
+symbol is defined, the first file listed is the location of the
+definition.  If the symbol is defined as a common value then any files
+where this happens appear next.  Finally any files that reference the
+symbol are listed.
+
+@cindex common allocation
+@kindex --no-define-common
+@item --no-define-common
+This option inhibits the assignment of addresses to common symbols.
+The script command @code{INHIBIT_COMMON_ALLOCATION} has the same effect.
+@xref{Miscellaneous Commands}.
+
+The @samp{--no-define-common} option allows decoupling
+the decision to assign addresses to Common symbols from the choice
+of the output file type; otherwise a non-Relocatable output type
+forces assigning addresses to Common symbols.
+Using @samp{--no-define-common} allows Common symbols that are referenced
+from a shared library to be assigned addresses only in the main program.
+This eliminates the unused duplicate space in the shared library,
+and also prevents any possible confusion over resolving to the wrong
+duplicate when there are many dynamic modules with specialized search
+paths for runtime symbol resolution.
+
+@cindex group allocation in linker script
+@cindex section groups
+@cindex COMDAT
+@kindex --force-group-allocation
+@item --force-group-allocation
+This option causes the linker to place section group members like
+normal input sections, and to delete the section groups.  This is the
+default behaviour for a final link but this option can be used to
+change the behaviour of a relocatable link (@samp{-r}).  The script
+command @code{FORCE_GROUP_ALLOCATION} has the same
+effect. @xref{Miscellaneous Commands}.
+
+@cindex symbols, from command line
+@kindex --defsym=@var{symbol}=@var{exp}
+@item --defsym=@var{symbol}=@var{expression}
+Create a global symbol in the output file, containing the absolute
+address given by @var{expression}.  You may use this option as many
+times as necessary to define multiple symbols in the command line.  A
+limited form of arithmetic is supported for the @var{expression} in this
+context: you may give a hexadecimal constant or the name of an existing
+symbol, or use @code{+} and @code{-} to add or subtract hexadecimal
+constants or symbols.  If you need more elaborate expressions, consider
+using the linker command language from a script (@pxref{Assignments}).
+@emph{Note:} there should be no white space between @var{symbol}, the
+equals sign (``@key{=}''), and @var{expression}.
+
+@cindex demangling, from command line
+@kindex --demangle[=@var{style}]
+@kindex --no-demangle
+@item --demangle[=@var{style}]
+@itemx --no-demangle
+These options control whether to demangle symbol names in error messages
+and other output.  When the linker is told to demangle, it tries to
+present symbol names in a readable fashion: it strips leading
+underscores if they are used by the object file format, and converts C++
+mangled symbol names into user readable names.  Different compilers have
+different mangling styles.  The optional demangling style argument can be used
+to choose an appropriate demangling style for your compiler.  The linker will
+demangle by default unless the environment variable @samp{COLLECT_NO_DEMANGLE}
+is set.  These options may be used to override the default.
+
+@cindex dynamic linker, from command line
+@kindex -I@var{file}
+@kindex --dynamic-linker=@var{file}
+@item -I@var{file}
+@itemx --dynamic-linker=@var{file}
+Set the name of the dynamic linker.  This is only meaningful when
+generating dynamically linked ELF executables.  The default dynamic
+linker is normally correct; don't use this unless you know what you are
+doing.
+
+@kindex --no-dynamic-linker
+@item --no-dynamic-linker
+When producing an executable file, omit the request for a dynamic
+linker to be used at load-time.  This is only meaningful for ELF
+executables that contain dynamic relocations, and usually requires
+entry point code that is capable of processing these relocations.
+
+@kindex --embedded-relocs
+@item --embedded-relocs
+This option is similar to the @option{--emit-relocs} option except
+that the relocs are stored in a target specific section.  This option
+is only supported by the @samp{BFIN}, @samp{CR16} and @emph{M68K}
+targets.
+
+@kindex --disable-multiple-abs-defs
+@item --disable-multiple-abs-defs
+Do not allow multiple definitions with symbols included
+in filename invoked by -R or --just-symbols
+
+@kindex --fatal-warnings
+@kindex --no-fatal-warnings
+@item --fatal-warnings
+@itemx --no-fatal-warnings
+Treat all warnings as errors.  The default behaviour can be restored
+with the option @option{--no-fatal-warnings}.
+
+@kindex --force-exe-suffix
+@item  --force-exe-suffix
+Make sure that an output file has a .exe suffix.
+
+If a successfully built fully linked output file does not have a
+@code{.exe} or @code{.dll} suffix, this option forces the linker to copy
+the output file to one of the same name with a @code{.exe} suffix. This
+option is useful when using unmodified Unix makefiles on a Microsoft
+Windows host, since some versions of Windows won't run an image unless
+it ends in a @code{.exe} suffix.
+
+@kindex --gc-sections
+@kindex --no-gc-sections
+@cindex garbage collection
+@item --gc-sections
+@itemx --no-gc-sections
+Enable garbage collection of unused input sections.  It is ignored on
+targets that do not support this option.  The default behaviour (of not
+performing this garbage collection) can be restored by specifying
+@samp{--no-gc-sections} on the command line.  Note that garbage
+collection for COFF and PE format targets is supported, but the
+implementation is currently considered to be experimental.
+
+@samp{--gc-sections} decides which input sections are used by
+examining symbols and relocations.  The section containing the entry
+symbol and all sections containing symbols undefined on the
+command-line will be kept, as will sections containing symbols
+referenced by dynamic objects.  Note that when building shared
+libraries, the linker must assume that any visible symbol is
+referenced.  Once this initial set of sections has been determined,
+the linker recursively marks as used any section referenced by their
+relocations.  See @samp{--entry} and @samp{--undefined}.
+
+This option can be set when doing a partial link (enabled with option
+@samp{-r}).  In this case the root of symbols kept must be explicitly
+specified either by an @samp{--entry} or @samp{--undefined} option or by
+a @code{ENTRY} command in the linker script.
+
+@kindex --print-gc-sections
+@kindex --no-print-gc-sections
+@cindex garbage collection
+@item --print-gc-sections
+@itemx --no-print-gc-sections
+List all sections removed by garbage collection.  The listing is
+printed on stderr.  This option is only effective if garbage
+collection has been enabled via the @samp{--gc-sections}) option.  The
+default behaviour (of not listing the sections that are removed) can
+be restored by specifying @samp{--no-print-gc-sections} on the command
+line.
+
+@kindex --gc-keep-exported
+@cindex garbage collection
+@item --gc-keep-exported
+When @samp{--gc-sections} is enabled, this option prevents garbage
+collection of unused input sections that contain global symbols having
+default or protected visibility.  This option is intended to be used for
+executables where unreferenced sections would otherwise be garbage
+collected regardless of the external visibility of contained symbols.
+Note that this option has no effect when linking shared objects since
+it is already the default behaviour.  This option is only supported for
+ELF format targets.
+
+@kindex --print-output-format
+@cindex output format
+@item --print-output-format
+Print the name of the default output format (perhaps influenced by
+other command-line options).  This is the string that would appear
+in an @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT} linker script command (@pxref{File Commands}).
+
+@kindex --print-memory-usage
+@cindex memory usage
+@item --print-memory-usage
+Print used size, total size and used size of memory regions created with
+the @ref{MEMORY} command.  This is useful on embedded targets to have a
+quick view of amount of free memory.  The format of the output has one
+headline and one line per region.  It is both human readable and easily
+parsable by tools.  Here is an example of an output:
+
+@smallexample
+Memory region         Used Size  Region Size  %age Used
+             ROM:        256 KB         1 MB     25.00%
+             RAM:          32 B         2 GB      0.00%
+@end smallexample
+
+@cindex help
+@cindex usage
+@kindex --help
+@item --help
+Print a summary of the command-line options on the standard output and exit.
+
+@kindex --target-help
+@item --target-help
+Print a summary of all target specific options on the standard output and exit.
+
+@kindex -Map=@var{mapfile}
+@item -Map=@var{mapfile}
+Print a link map to the file @var{mapfile}.  See the description of the
+@option{-M} option, above.
+
+@cindex memory usage
+@kindex --no-keep-memory
+@item --no-keep-memory
+@command{ld} normally optimizes for speed over memory usage by caching the
+symbol tables of input files in memory.  This option tells @command{ld} to
+instead optimize for memory usage, by rereading the symbol tables as
+necessary.  This may be required if @command{ld} runs out of memory space
+while linking a large executable.
+
+@kindex --no-undefined
+@kindex -z defs
+@kindex -z undefs
+@item --no-undefined
+@itemx -z defs
+Report unresolved symbol references from regular object files.  This
+is done even if the linker is creating a non-symbolic shared library.
+The switch @option{--[no-]allow-shlib-undefined} controls the
+behaviour for reporting unresolved references found in shared
+libraries being linked in.
+
+The effects of this option can be reverted by using @code{-z undefs}.
+
+@kindex --allow-multiple-definition
+@kindex -z muldefs
+@item --allow-multiple-definition
+@itemx -z muldefs
+Normally when a symbol is defined multiple times, the linker will
+report a fatal error. These options allow multiple definitions and the
+first definition will be used.
+
+@kindex --allow-shlib-undefined
+@kindex --no-allow-shlib-undefined
+@item --allow-shlib-undefined
+@itemx --no-allow-shlib-undefined
+Allows or disallows undefined symbols in shared libraries.
+This switch is similar to @option{--no-undefined} except that it
+determines the behaviour when the undefined symbols are in a
+shared library rather than a regular object file.  It does not affect
+how undefined symbols in regular object files are handled.
+
+The default behaviour is to report errors for any undefined symbols
+referenced in shared libraries if the linker is being used to create
+an executable, but to allow them if the linker is being used to create
+a shared library.
+
+The reasons for allowing undefined symbol references in shared
+libraries specified at link time are that:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+A shared library specified at link time may not be the same as the one
+that is available at load time, so the symbol might actually be
+resolvable at load time.
+@item
+There are some operating systems, eg BeOS and HPPA, where undefined
+symbols in shared libraries are normal.
+
+The BeOS kernel for example patches shared libraries at load time to
+select whichever function is most appropriate for the current
+architecture.  This is used, for example, to dynamically select an
+appropriate memset function.
+@end itemize
+
+@kindex --no-undefined-version
+@item --no-undefined-version
+Normally when a symbol has an undefined version, the linker will ignore
+it. This option disallows symbols with undefined version and a fatal error
+will be issued instead.
+
+@kindex --default-symver
+@item --default-symver
+Create and use a default symbol version (the soname) for unversioned
+exported symbols.
+
+@kindex --default-imported-symver
+@item --default-imported-symver
+Create and use a default symbol version (the soname) for unversioned
+imported symbols.
+
+@kindex --no-warn-mismatch
+@item --no-warn-mismatch
+Normally @command{ld} will give an error if you try to link together input
+files that are mismatched for some reason, perhaps because they have
+been compiled for different processors or for different endiannesses.
+This option tells @command{ld} that it should silently permit such possible
+errors.  This option should only be used with care, in cases when you
+have taken some special action that ensures that the linker errors are
+inappropriate.
+
+@kindex --no-warn-search-mismatch
+@item --no-warn-search-mismatch
+Normally @command{ld} will give a warning if it finds an incompatible
+library during a library search.  This option silences the warning.
+
+@kindex --no-whole-archive
+@item --no-whole-archive
+Turn off the effect of the @option{--whole-archive} option for subsequent
+archive files.
+
+@cindex output file after errors
+@kindex --noinhibit-exec
+@item --noinhibit-exec
+Retain the executable output file whenever it is still usable.
+Normally, the linker will not produce an output file if it encounters
+errors during the link process; it exits without writing an output file
+when it issues any error whatsoever.
+
+@kindex -nostdlib
+@item -nostdlib
+Only search library directories explicitly specified on the
+command line.  Library directories specified in linker scripts
+(including linker scripts specified on the command line) are ignored.
+
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+@kindex --oformat=@var{output-format}
+@item --oformat=@var{output-format}
+@command{ld} may be configured to support more than one kind of object
+file.  If your @command{ld} is configured this way, you can use the
+@samp{--oformat} option to specify the binary format for the output
+object file.  Even when @command{ld} is configured to support alternative
+object formats, you don't usually need to specify this, as @command{ld}
+should be configured to produce as a default output format the most
+usual format on each machine.  @var{output-format} is a text string, the
+name of a particular format supported by the BFD libraries.  (You can
+list the available binary formats with @samp{objdump -i}.)  The script
+command @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT} can also specify the output format, but
+this option overrides it.  @xref{BFD}.
+@end ifclear
+
+@kindex --out-implib
+@item --out-implib @var{file}
+Create an import library in @var{file} corresponding to the executable
+the linker is generating (eg. a DLL or ELF program).  This import
+library (which should be called @code{*.dll.a} or @code{*.a} for DLLs)
+may be used to link clients against the generated executable; this
+behaviour makes it possible to skip a separate import library creation
+step (eg. @code{dlltool} for DLLs).  This option is only available for
+the i386 PE and ELF targetted ports of the linker.
+
+@kindex -pie
+@kindex --pic-executable
+@item -pie
+@itemx --pic-executable
+@cindex position independent executables
+Create a position independent executable.  This is currently only supported on
+ELF platforms.  Position independent executables are similar to shared
+libraries in that they are relocated by the dynamic linker to the virtual
+address the OS chooses for them (which can vary between invocations).  Like
+normal dynamically linked executables they can be executed and symbols
+defined in the executable cannot be overridden by shared libraries.
+
+@kindex -qmagic
+@item -qmagic
+This option is ignored for Linux compatibility.
+
+@kindex -Qy
+@item -Qy
+This option is ignored for SVR4 compatibility.
+
+@kindex --relax
+@cindex synthesizing linker
+@cindex relaxing addressing modes
+@cindex --no-relax
+@item --relax
+@itemx --no-relax
+An option with machine dependent effects.
+@ifset GENERIC
+This option is only supported on a few targets.
+@end ifset
+@ifset H8300
+@xref{H8/300,,@command{ld} and the H8/300}.
+@end ifset
+@ifset XTENSA
+@xref{Xtensa,, @command{ld} and Xtensa Processors}.
+@end ifset
+@ifset M68HC11
+@xref{M68HC11/68HC12,,@command{ld} and the 68HC11 and 68HC12}.
+@end ifset
+@ifset NIOSII
+@xref{Nios II,,@command{ld} and the Altera Nios II}.
+@end ifset
+@ifset POWERPC
+@xref{PowerPC ELF32,,@command{ld} and PowerPC 32-bit ELF Support}.
+@end ifset
+
+On some platforms the @samp{--relax} option performs target specific,
+global optimizations that become possible when the linker resolves
+addressing in the program, such as relaxing address modes,
+synthesizing new instructions, selecting shorter version of current
+instructions, and combining constant values.
+
+On some platforms these link time global optimizations may make symbolic
+debugging of the resulting executable impossible.
+@ifset GENERIC
+This is known to be the case for the Matsushita MN10200 and MN10300
+family of processors.
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset GENERIC
+On platforms where this is not supported, @samp{--relax} is accepted,
+but ignored.
+@end ifset
+
+On platforms where @samp{--relax} is accepted the option
+@samp{--no-relax} can be used to disable the feature.
+
+@cindex retaining specified symbols
+@cindex stripping all but some symbols
+@cindex symbols, retaining selectively
+@kindex --retain-symbols-file=@var{filename}
+@item --retain-symbols-file=@var{filename}
+Retain @emph{only} the symbols listed in the file @var{filename},
+discarding all others.  @var{filename} is simply a flat file, with one
+symbol name per line.  This option is especially useful in environments
+@ifset GENERIC
+(such as VxWorks)
+@end ifset
+where a large global symbol table is accumulated gradually, to conserve
+run-time memory.
+
+@samp{--retain-symbols-file} does @emph{not} discard undefined symbols,
+or symbols needed for relocations.
+
+You may only specify @samp{--retain-symbols-file} once in the command
+line.  It overrides @samp{-s} and @samp{-S}.
+
+@ifset GENERIC
+@item -rpath=@var{dir}
+@cindex runtime library search path
+@kindex -rpath=@var{dir}
+Add a directory to the runtime library search path.  This is used when
+linking an ELF executable with shared objects.  All @option{-rpath}
+arguments are concatenated and passed to the runtime linker, which uses
+them to locate shared objects at runtime.  The @option{-rpath} option is
+also used when locating shared objects which are needed by shared
+objects explicitly included in the link; see the description of the
+@option{-rpath-link} option.  If @option{-rpath} is not used when linking an
+ELF executable, the contents of the environment variable
+@code{LD_RUN_PATH} will be used if it is defined.
+
+The @option{-rpath} option may also be used on SunOS.  By default, on
+SunOS, the linker will form a runtime search path out of all the
+@option{-L} options it is given.  If a @option{-rpath} option is used, the
+runtime search path will be formed exclusively using the @option{-rpath}
+options, ignoring the @option{-L} options.  This can be useful when using
+gcc, which adds many @option{-L} options which may be on NFS mounted
+file systems.
+
+For compatibility with other ELF linkers, if the @option{-R} option is
+followed by a directory name, rather than a file name, it is treated as
+the @option{-rpath} option.
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset GENERIC
+@cindex link-time runtime library search path
+@kindex -rpath-link=@var{dir}
+@item -rpath-link=@var{dir}
+When using ELF or SunOS, one shared library may require another.  This
+happens when an @code{ld -shared} link includes a shared library as one
+of the input files.
+
+When the linker encounters such a dependency when doing a non-shared,
+non-relocatable link, it will automatically try to locate the required
+shared library and include it in the link, if it is not included
+explicitly.  In such a case, the @option{-rpath-link} option
+specifies the first set of directories to search.  The
+@option{-rpath-link} option may specify a sequence of directory names
+either by specifying a list of names separated by colons, or by
+appearing multiple times.
+
+The tokens @var{$ORIGIN} and @var{$LIB} can appear in these search
+directories.  They will be replaced by the full path to the directory
+containing the program or shared object in the case of @var{$ORIGIN}
+and either @samp{lib} - for 32-bit binaries - or @samp{lib64} - for
+64-bit binaries - in the case of @var{$LIB}.
+
+The alternative form of these tokens - @var{$@{ORIGIN@}} and
+@var{$@{LIB@}} can also be used.  The token @var{$PLATFORM} is not
+supported.
+
+This option should be used with caution as it overrides the search path
+that may have been hard compiled into a shared library. In such a case it
+is possible to use unintentionally a different search path than the
+runtime linker would do.
+
+The linker uses the following search paths to locate required shared
+libraries:
+@enumerate
+@item
+Any directories specified by @option{-rpath-link} options.
+@item
+Any directories specified by @option{-rpath} options.  The difference
+between @option{-rpath} and @option{-rpath-link} is that directories
+specified by @option{-rpath} options are included in the executable and
+used at runtime, whereas the @option{-rpath-link} option is only effective
+at link time. Searching @option{-rpath} in this way is only supported
+by native linkers and cross linkers which have been configured with
+the @option{--with-sysroot} option.
+@item
+On an ELF system, for native linkers, if the @option{-rpath} and
+@option{-rpath-link} options were not used, search the contents of the
+environment variable @code{LD_RUN_PATH}.
+@item
+On SunOS, if the @option{-rpath} option was not used, search any
+directories specified using @option{-L} options.
+@item
+For a native linker, search the contents of the environment
+variable @code{LD_LIBRARY_PATH}.
+@item
+For a native ELF linker, the directories in @code{DT_RUNPATH} or
+@code{DT_RPATH} of a shared library are searched for shared
+libraries needed by it. The @code{DT_RPATH} entries are ignored if
+@code{DT_RUNPATH} entries exist.
+@item
+The default directories, normally @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib}.
+@item
+For a native linker on an ELF system, if the file @file{/etc/ld.so.conf}
+exists, the list of directories found in that file.
+@end enumerate
+
+If the required shared library is not found, the linker will issue a
+warning and continue with the link.
+@end ifset
+
+@kindex -shared
+@kindex -Bshareable
+@item -shared
+@itemx -Bshareable
+@cindex shared libraries
+Create a shared library.  This is currently only supported on ELF, XCOFF
+and SunOS platforms.  On SunOS, the linker will automatically create a
+shared library if the @option{-e} option is not used and there are
+undefined symbols in the link.
+
+@kindex --sort-common
+@item --sort-common
+@itemx --sort-common=ascending
+@itemx --sort-common=descending
+This option tells @command{ld} to sort the common symbols by alignment in
+ascending or descending order when it places them in the appropriate output
+sections.  The symbol alignments considered are sixteen-byte or larger,
+eight-byte, four-byte, two-byte, and one-byte. This is to prevent gaps
+between symbols due to alignment constraints.  If no sorting order is
+specified, then descending order is assumed.
+
+@kindex --sort-section=name
+@item --sort-section=name
+This option will apply @code{SORT_BY_NAME} to all wildcard section
+patterns in the linker script.
+
+@kindex --sort-section=alignment
+@item --sort-section=alignment
+This option will apply @code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} to all wildcard section
+patterns in the linker script.
+
+@kindex --spare-dynamic-tags
+@item --spare-dynamic-tags=@var{count}
+This option specifies the number of empty slots to leave in the
+.dynamic section of ELF shared objects.  Empty slots may be needed by
+post processing tools, such as the prelinker.  The default is 5.
+
+@kindex --split-by-file
+@item --split-by-file[=@var{size}]
+Similar to @option{--split-by-reloc} but creates a new output section for
+each input file when @var{size} is reached.  @var{size} defaults to a
+size of 1 if not given.
+
+@kindex --split-by-reloc
+@item --split-by-reloc[=@var{count}]
+Tries to creates extra sections in the output file so that no single
+output section in the file contains more than @var{count} relocations.
+This is useful when generating huge relocatable files for downloading into
+certain real time kernels with the COFF object file format; since COFF
+cannot represent more than 65535 relocations in a single section.  Note
+that this will fail to work with object file formats which do not
+support arbitrary sections.  The linker will not split up individual
+input sections for redistribution, so if a single input section contains
+more than @var{count} relocations one output section will contain that
+many relocations.  @var{count} defaults to a value of 32768.
+
+@kindex --stats
+@item --stats
+Compute and display statistics about the operation of the linker, such
+as execution time and memory usage.
+
+@kindex --sysroot=@var{directory}
+@item --sysroot=@var{directory}
+Use @var{directory} as the location of the sysroot, overriding the
+configure-time default.  This option is only supported by linkers
+that were configured using @option{--with-sysroot}.
+
+@kindex --task-link
+@item --task-link
+This is used by COFF/PE based targets to create a task-linked object
+file where all of the global symbols have been converted to statics.
+
+@kindex --traditional-format
+@cindex traditional format
+@item --traditional-format
+For some targets, the output of @command{ld} is different in some ways from
+the output of some existing linker.  This switch requests @command{ld} to
+use the traditional format instead.
+
+@cindex dbx
+For example, on SunOS, @command{ld} combines duplicate entries in the
+symbol string table.  This can reduce the size of an output file with
+full debugging information by over 30 percent.  Unfortunately, the SunOS
+@code{dbx} program can not read the resulting program (@code{gdb} has no
+trouble).  The @samp{--traditional-format} switch tells @command{ld} to not
+combine duplicate entries.
+
+@kindex --section-start=@var{sectionname}=@var{org}
+@item --section-start=@var{sectionname}=@var{org}
+Locate a section in the output file at the absolute
+address given by @var{org}.  You may use this option as many
+times as necessary to locate multiple sections in the command
+line.
+@var{org} must be a single hexadecimal integer;
+for compatibility with other linkers, you may omit the leading
+@samp{0x} usually associated with hexadecimal values.  @emph{Note:} there
+should be no white space between @var{sectionname}, the equals
+sign (``@key{=}''), and @var{org}.
+
+@kindex -Tbss=@var{org}
+@kindex -Tdata=@var{org}
+@kindex -Ttext=@var{org}
+@cindex segment origins, cmd line
+@item -Tbss=@var{org}
+@itemx -Tdata=@var{org}
+@itemx -Ttext=@var{org}
+Same as @option{--section-start}, with @code{.bss}, @code{.data} or
+@code{.text} as the @var{sectionname}.
+
+@kindex -Ttext-segment=@var{org}
+@item -Ttext-segment=@var{org}
+@cindex text segment origin, cmd line
+When creating an ELF executable, it will set the address of the first
+byte of the text segment.
+
+@kindex -Trodata-segment=@var{org}
+@item -Trodata-segment=@var{org}
+@cindex rodata segment origin, cmd line
+When creating an ELF executable or shared object for a target where
+the read-only data is in its own segment separate from the executable
+text, it will set the address of the first byte of the read-only data segment.
+
+@kindex -Tldata-segment=@var{org}
+@item -Tldata-segment=@var{org}
+@cindex ldata segment origin, cmd line
+When creating an ELF executable or shared object for x86-64 medium memory
+model, it will set the address of the first byte of the ldata segment.
+
+@kindex --unresolved-symbols
+@item --unresolved-symbols=@var{method}
+Determine how to handle unresolved symbols.  There are four possible
+values for @samp{method}:
+
+@table @samp
+@item ignore-all
+Do not report any unresolved symbols.
+
+@item report-all
+Report all unresolved symbols.  This is the default.
+
+@item ignore-in-object-files
+Report unresolved symbols that are contained in shared libraries, but
+ignore them if they come from regular object files.
+
+@item ignore-in-shared-libs
+Report unresolved symbols that come from regular object files, but
+ignore them if they come from shared libraries.  This can be useful
+when creating a dynamic binary and it is known that all the shared
+libraries that it should be referencing are included on the linker's
+command line.
+@end table
+
+The behaviour for shared libraries on their own can also be controlled
+by the @option{--[no-]allow-shlib-undefined} option.
+
+Normally the linker will generate an error message for each reported
+unresolved symbol but the option @option{--warn-unresolved-symbols}
+can change this to a warning.
+
+@kindex --verbose[=@var{NUMBER}]
+@cindex verbose[=@var{NUMBER}]
+@item --dll-verbose
+@itemx --verbose[=@var{NUMBER}]
+Display the version number for @command{ld} and list the linker emulations
+supported.  Display which input files can and cannot be opened.  Display
+the linker script being used by the linker. If the optional @var{NUMBER}
+argument > 1, plugin symbol status will also be displayed.
+
+@kindex --version-script=@var{version-scriptfile}
+@cindex version script, symbol versions
+@item --version-script=@var{version-scriptfile}
+Specify the name of a version script to the linker.  This is typically
+used when creating shared libraries to specify additional information
+about the version hierarchy for the library being created.  This option
+is only fully supported on ELF platforms which support shared libraries;
+see @ref{VERSION}.  It is partially supported on PE platforms, which can
+use version scripts to filter symbol visibility in auto-export mode: any
+symbols marked @samp{local} in the version script will not be exported.
+@xref{WIN32}.
+
+@kindex --warn-common
+@cindex warnings, on combining symbols
+@cindex combining symbols, warnings on
+@item --warn-common
+Warn when a common symbol is combined with another common symbol or with
+a symbol definition.  Unix linkers allow this somewhat sloppy practice,
+but linkers on some other operating systems do not.  This option allows
+you to find potential problems from combining global symbols.
+Unfortunately, some C libraries use this practice, so you may get some
+warnings about symbols in the libraries as well as in your programs.
+
+There are three kinds of global symbols, illustrated here by C examples:
+
+@table @samp
+@item int i = 1;
+A definition, which goes in the initialized data section of the output
+file.
+
+@item extern int i;
+An undefined reference, which does not allocate space.
+There must be either a definition or a common symbol for the
+variable somewhere.
+
+@item int i;
+A common symbol.  If there are only (one or more) common symbols for a
+variable, it goes in the uninitialized data area of the output file.
+The linker merges multiple common symbols for the same variable into a
+single symbol.  If they are of different sizes, it picks the largest
+size.  The linker turns a common symbol into a declaration, if there is
+a definition of the same variable.
+@end table
+
+The @samp{--warn-common} option can produce five kinds of warnings.
+Each warning consists of a pair of lines: the first describes the symbol
+just encountered, and the second describes the previous symbol
+encountered with the same name.  One or both of the two symbols will be
+a common symbol.
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+Turning a common symbol into a reference, because there is already a
+definition for the symbol.
+@smallexample
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: common of `@var{symbol}'
+   overridden by definition
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: defined here
+@end smallexample
+
+@item
+Turning a common symbol into a reference, because a later definition for
+the symbol is encountered.  This is the same as the previous case,
+except that the symbols are encountered in a different order.
+@smallexample
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: definition of `@var{symbol}'
+   overriding common
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: common is here
+@end smallexample
+
+@item
+Merging a common symbol with a previous same-sized common symbol.
+@smallexample
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: multiple common
+   of `@var{symbol}'
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: previous common is here
+@end smallexample
+
+@item
+Merging a common symbol with a previous larger common symbol.
+@smallexample
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: common of `@var{symbol}'
+   overridden by larger common
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: larger common is here
+@end smallexample
+
+@item
+Merging a common symbol with a previous smaller common symbol.  This is
+the same as the previous case, except that the symbols are
+encountered in a different order.
+@smallexample
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: common of `@var{symbol}'
+   overriding smaller common
+@var{file}(@var{section}): warning: smaller common is here
+@end smallexample
+@end enumerate
+
+@kindex --warn-constructors
+@item --warn-constructors
+Warn if any global constructors are used.  This is only useful for a few
+object file formats.  For formats like COFF or ELF, the linker can not
+detect the use of global constructors.
+
+@kindex --warn-multiple-gp
+@item --warn-multiple-gp
+Warn if multiple global pointer values are required in the output file.
+This is only meaningful for certain processors, such as the Alpha.
+Specifically, some processors put large-valued constants in a special
+section.  A special register (the global pointer) points into the middle
+of this section, so that constants can be loaded efficiently via a
+base-register relative addressing mode.  Since the offset in
+base-register relative mode is fixed and relatively small (e.g., 16
+bits), this limits the maximum size of the constant pool.  Thus, in
+large programs, it is often necessary to use multiple global pointer
+values in order to be able to address all possible constants.  This
+option causes a warning to be issued whenever this case occurs.
+
+@kindex --warn-once
+@cindex warnings, on undefined symbols
+@cindex undefined symbols, warnings on
+@item --warn-once
+Only warn once for each undefined symbol, rather than once per module
+which refers to it.
+
+@kindex --warn-section-align
+@cindex warnings, on section alignment
+@cindex section alignment, warnings on
+@item --warn-section-align
+Warn if the address of an output section is changed because of
+alignment.  Typically, the alignment will be set by an input section.
+The address will only be changed if it not explicitly specified; that
+is, if the @code{SECTIONS} command does not specify a start address for
+the section (@pxref{SECTIONS}).
+
+@kindex --warn-shared-textrel
+@item --warn-shared-textrel
+Warn if the linker adds a DT_TEXTREL to a shared object.
+
+@kindex --warn-alternate-em
+@item --warn-alternate-em
+Warn if an object has alternate ELF machine code.
+
+@kindex --warn-unresolved-symbols
+@item --warn-unresolved-symbols
+If the linker is going to report an unresolved symbol (see the option
+@option{--unresolved-symbols}) it will normally generate an error.
+This option makes it generate a warning instead.
+
+@kindex --error-unresolved-symbols
+@item --error-unresolved-symbols
+This restores the linker's default behaviour of generating errors when
+it is reporting unresolved symbols.
+
+@kindex --whole-archive
+@cindex including an entire archive
+@item --whole-archive
+For each archive mentioned on the command line after the
+@option{--whole-archive} option, include every object file in the archive
+in the link, rather than searching the archive for the required object
+files.  This is normally used to turn an archive file into a shared
+library, forcing every object to be included in the resulting shared
+library.  This option may be used more than once.
+
+Two notes when using this option from gcc: First, gcc doesn't know
+about this option, so you have to use @option{-Wl,-whole-archive}.
+Second, don't forget to use @option{-Wl,-no-whole-archive} after your
+list of archives, because gcc will add its own list of archives to
+your link and you may not want this flag to affect those as well.
+
+@kindex --wrap=@var{symbol}
+@item --wrap=@var{symbol}
+Use a wrapper function for @var{symbol}.  Any undefined reference to
+@var{symbol} will be resolved to @code{__wrap_@var{symbol}}.  Any
+undefined reference to @code{__real_@var{symbol}} will be resolved to
+@var{symbol}.
+
+This can be used to provide a wrapper for a system function.  The
+wrapper function should be called @code{__wrap_@var{symbol}}.  If it
+wishes to call the system function, it should call
+@code{__real_@var{symbol}}.
+
+Here is a trivial example:
+
+@smallexample
+void *
+__wrap_malloc (size_t c)
+@{
+  printf ("malloc called with %zu\n", c);
+  return __real_malloc (c);
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+If you link other code with this file using @option{--wrap malloc}, then
+all calls to @code{malloc} will call the function @code{__wrap_malloc}
+instead.  The call to @code{__real_malloc} in @code{__wrap_malloc} will
+call the real @code{malloc} function.
+
+You may wish to provide a @code{__real_malloc} function as well, so that
+links without the @option{--wrap} option will succeed.  If you do this,
+you should not put the definition of @code{__real_malloc} in the same
+file as @code{__wrap_malloc}; if you do, the assembler may resolve the
+call before the linker has a chance to wrap it to @code{malloc}.
+
+@kindex --eh-frame-hdr
+@kindex --no-eh-frame-hdr
+@item --eh-frame-hdr
+@itemx --no-eh-frame-hdr
+Request (@option{--eh-frame-hdr}) or suppress
+(@option{--no-eh-frame-hdr}) the creation of @code{.eh_frame_hdr}
+section and ELF @code{PT_GNU_EH_FRAME} segment header.
+
+@kindex --ld-generated-unwind-info
+@item --no-ld-generated-unwind-info
+Request creation of @code{.eh_frame} unwind info for linker
+generated code sections like PLT.  This option is on by default
+if linker generated unwind info is supported.
+
+@kindex --enable-new-dtags
+@kindex --disable-new-dtags
+@item --enable-new-dtags
+@itemx --disable-new-dtags
+This linker can create the new dynamic tags in ELF. But the older ELF
+systems may not understand them. If you specify
+@option{--enable-new-dtags}, the new dynamic tags will be created as needed
+and older dynamic tags will be omitted.
+If you specify @option{--disable-new-dtags}, no new dynamic tags will be
+created. By default, the new dynamic tags are not created. Note that
+those options are only available for ELF systems.
+
+@kindex --hash-size=@var{number}
+@item --hash-size=@var{number}
+Set the default size of the linker's hash tables to a prime number
+close to @var{number}.  Increasing this value can reduce the length of
+time it takes the linker to perform its tasks, at the expense of
+increasing the linker's memory requirements.  Similarly reducing this
+value can reduce the memory requirements at the expense of speed.
+
+@kindex --hash-style=@var{style}
+@item --hash-style=@var{style}
+Set the type of linker's hash table(s).  @var{style} can be either
+@code{sysv} for classic ELF @code{.hash} section, @code{gnu} for
+new style GNU @code{.gnu.hash} section or @code{both} for both
+the classic ELF @code{.hash} and new style GNU @code{.gnu.hash}
+hash tables.  The default is @code{sysv}.
+
+@kindex --compress-debug-sections=none
+@kindex --compress-debug-sections=zlib
+@kindex --compress-debug-sections=zlib-gnu
+@kindex --compress-debug-sections=zlib-gabi
+@item --compress-debug-sections=none
+@itemx --compress-debug-sections=zlib
+@itemx --compress-debug-sections=zlib-gnu
+@itemx --compress-debug-sections=zlib-gabi
+On ELF platforms, these options control how DWARF debug sections are
+compressed using zlib.
+
+@option{--compress-debug-sections=none} doesn't compress DWARF debug
+sections.  @option{--compress-debug-sections=zlib-gnu} compresses
+DWARF debug sections and renames them to begin with @samp{.zdebug}
+instead of @samp{.debug}.  @option{--compress-debug-sections=zlib-gabi}
+also compresses DWARF debug sections, but rather than renaming them it
+sets the SHF_COMPRESSED flag in the sections' headers.
+
+The @option{--compress-debug-sections=zlib} option is an alias for
+@option{--compress-debug-sections=zlib-gabi}.
+
+Note that this option overrides any compression in input debug
+sections, so if a binary is linked with @option{--compress-debug-sections=none}
+for example, then any compressed debug sections in input files will be
+uncompressed before they are copied into the output binary.
+
+The default compression behaviour varies depending upon the target
+involved and the configure options used to build the toolchain.  The
+default can be determined by examining the output from the linker's
+@option{--help} option.
+
+@kindex --reduce-memory-overheads
+@item --reduce-memory-overheads
+This option reduces memory requirements at ld runtime, at the expense of
+linking speed.  This was introduced to select the old O(n^2) algorithm
+for link map file generation, rather than the new O(n) algorithm which uses
+about 40% more memory for symbol storage.
+
+Another effect of the switch is to set the default hash table size to
+1021, which again saves memory at the cost of lengthening the linker's
+run time.  This is not done however if the @option{--hash-size} switch
+has been used.
+
+The @option{--reduce-memory-overheads} switch may be also be used to
+enable other tradeoffs in future versions of the linker.
+
+@kindex --build-id
+@kindex --build-id=@var{style}
+@item --build-id
+@itemx --build-id=@var{style}
+Request the creation of a @code{.note.gnu.build-id} ELF note section
+or a @code{.buildid} COFF section.  The contents of the note are
+unique bits identifying this linked file.  @var{style} can be
+@code{uuid} to use 128 random bits, @code{sha1} to use a 160-bit
+@sc{SHA1} hash on the normative parts of the output contents,
+@code{md5} to use a 128-bit @sc{MD5} hash on the normative parts of
+the output contents, or @code{0x@var{hexstring}} to use a chosen bit
+string specified as an even number of hexadecimal digits (@code{-} and
+@code{:} characters between digit pairs are ignored).  If @var{style}
+is omitted, @code{sha1} is used.
+
+The @code{md5} and @code{sha1} styles produces an identifier
+that is always the same in an identical output file, but will be
+unique among all nonidentical output files.  It is not intended
+to be compared as a checksum for the file's contents.  A linked
+file may be changed later by other tools, but the build ID bit
+string identifying the original linked file does not change.
+
+Passing @code{none} for @var{style} disables the setting from any
+@code{--build-id} options earlier on the command line.
+@end table
+
+@c man end
+
+@subsection Options Specific to i386 PE Targets
+
+@c man begin OPTIONS
+
+The i386 PE linker supports the @option{-shared} option, which causes
+the output to be a dynamically linked library (DLL) instead of a
+normal executable.  You should name the output @code{*.dll} when you
+use this option.  In addition, the linker fully supports the standard
+@code{*.def} files, which may be specified on the linker command line
+like an object file (in fact, it should precede archives it exports
+symbols from, to ensure that they get linked in, just like a normal
+object file).
+
+In addition to the options common to all targets, the i386 PE linker
+support additional command line options that are specific to the i386
+PE target.  Options that take values may be separated from their
+values by either a space or an equals sign.
+
+@table @gcctabopt
+
+@kindex --add-stdcall-alias
+@item --add-stdcall-alias
+If given, symbols with a stdcall suffix (@@@var{nn}) will be exported
+as-is and also with the suffix stripped.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --base-file
+@item --base-file @var{file}
+Use @var{file} as the name of a file in which to save the base
+addresses of all the relocations needed for generating DLLs with
+@file{dlltool}.
+[This is an i386 PE specific option]
+
+@kindex --dll
+@item --dll
+Create a DLL instead of a regular executable.  You may also use
+@option{-shared} or specify a @code{LIBRARY} in a given @code{.def}
+file.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --enable-long-section-names
+@kindex --disable-long-section-names
+@item --enable-long-section-names
+@itemx --disable-long-section-names
+The PE variants of the COFF object format add an extension that permits
+the use of section names longer than eight characters, the normal limit
+for COFF.  By default, these names are only allowed in object files, as
+fully-linked executable images do not carry the COFF string table required
+to support the longer names.  As a GNU extension, it is possible to
+allow their use in executable images as well, or to (probably pointlessly!)
+disallow it in object files, by using these two options.  Executable images
+generated with these long section names are slightly non-standard, carrying
+as they do a string table, and may generate confusing output when examined
+with non-GNU PE-aware tools, such as file viewers and dumpers.  However,
+GDB relies on the use of PE long section names to find Dwarf-2 debug
+information sections in an executable image at runtime, and so if neither
+option is specified on the command-line, @command{ld} will enable long
+section names, overriding the default and technically correct behaviour,
+when it finds the presence of debug information while linking an executable
+image and not stripping symbols.
+[This option is valid for all PE targeted ports of the linker]
+
+@kindex --enable-stdcall-fixup
+@kindex --disable-stdcall-fixup
+@item --enable-stdcall-fixup
+@itemx --disable-stdcall-fixup
+If the link finds a symbol that it cannot resolve, it will attempt to
+do ``fuzzy linking'' by looking for another defined symbol that differs
+only in the format of the symbol name (cdecl vs stdcall) and will
+resolve that symbol by linking to the match.  For example, the
+undefined symbol @code{_foo} might be linked to the function
+@code{_foo@@12}, or the undefined symbol @code{_bar@@16} might be linked
+to the function @code{_bar}.  When the linker does this, it prints a
+warning, since it normally should have failed to link, but sometimes
+import libraries generated from third-party dlls may need this feature
+to be usable.  If you specify @option{--enable-stdcall-fixup}, this
+feature is fully enabled and warnings are not printed.  If you specify
+@option{--disable-stdcall-fixup}, this feature is disabled and such
+mismatches are considered to be errors.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --leading-underscore
+@kindex --no-leading-underscore
+@item --leading-underscore
+@itemx --no-leading-underscore
+For most targets default symbol-prefix is an underscore and is defined
+in target's description. By this option it is possible to
+disable/enable the default underscore symbol-prefix.
+
+@cindex DLLs, creating
+@kindex --export-all-symbols
+@item --export-all-symbols
+If given, all global symbols in the objects used to build a DLL will
+be exported by the DLL.  Note that this is the default if there
+otherwise wouldn't be any exported symbols.  When symbols are
+explicitly exported via DEF files or implicitly exported via function
+attributes, the default is to not export anything else unless this
+option is given.  Note that the symbols @code{DllMain@@12},
+@code{DllEntryPoint@@0}, @code{DllMainCRTStartup@@12}, and
+@code{impure_ptr} will not be automatically
+exported.  Also, symbols imported from other DLLs will not be
+re-exported, nor will symbols specifying the DLL's internal layout
+such as those beginning with @code{_head_} or ending with
+@code{_iname}.  In addition, no symbols from @code{libgcc},
+@code{libstd++}, @code{libmingw32}, or @code{crtX.o} will be exported.
+Symbols whose names begin with @code{__rtti_} or @code{__builtin_} will
+not be exported, to help with C++ DLLs.  Finally, there is an
+extensive list of cygwin-private symbols that are not exported
+(obviously, this applies on when building DLLs for cygwin targets).
+These cygwin-excludes are: @code{_cygwin_dll_entry@@12},
+@code{_cygwin_crt0_common@@8}, @code{_cygwin_noncygwin_dll_entry@@12},
+@code{_fmode}, @code{_impure_ptr}, @code{cygwin_attach_dll},
+@code{cygwin_premain0}, @code{cygwin_premain1}, @code{cygwin_premain2},
+@code{cygwin_premain3}, and @code{environ}.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --exclude-symbols
+@item --exclude-symbols @var{symbol},@var{symbol},...
+Specifies a list of symbols which should not be automatically
+exported.  The symbol names may be delimited by commas or colons.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --exclude-all-symbols
+@item --exclude-all-symbols
+Specifies no symbols should be automatically exported.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --file-alignment
+@item --file-alignment
+Specify the file alignment.  Sections in the file will always begin at
+file offsets which are multiples of this number.  This defaults to
+512.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@cindex heap size
+@kindex --heap
+@item --heap @var{reserve}
+@itemx --heap @var{reserve},@var{commit}
+Specify the number of bytes of memory to reserve (and optionally commit)
+to be used as heap for this program.  The default is 1MB reserved, 4K
+committed.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@cindex image base
+@kindex --image-base
+@item --image-base @var{value}
+Use @var{value} as the base address of your program or dll.  This is
+the lowest memory location that will be used when your program or dll
+is loaded.  To reduce the need to relocate and improve performance of
+your dlls, each should have a unique base address and not overlap any
+other dlls.  The default is 0x400000 for executables, and 0x10000000
+for dlls.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --kill-at
+@item --kill-at
+If given, the stdcall suffixes (@@@var{nn}) will be stripped from
+symbols before they are exported.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --large-address-aware
+@item --large-address-aware
+If given, the appropriate bit in the ``Characteristics'' field of the COFF
+header is set to indicate that this executable supports virtual addresses
+greater than 2 gigabytes.  This should be used in conjunction with the /3GB
+or /USERVA=@var{value} megabytes switch in the ``[operating systems]''
+section of the BOOT.INI.  Otherwise, this bit has no effect.
+[This option is specific to PE targeted ports of the linker]
+
+@kindex --disable-large-address-aware
+@item --disable-large-address-aware
+Reverts the effect of a previous @samp{--large-address-aware} option.
+This is useful if @samp{--large-address-aware} is always set by the compiler
+driver (e.g. Cygwin gcc) and the executable does not support virtual
+addresses greater than 2 gigabytes.
+[This option is specific to PE targeted ports of the linker]
+
+@kindex --major-image-version
+@item --major-image-version @var{value}
+Sets the major number of the ``image version''.  Defaults to 1.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --major-os-version
+@item --major-os-version @var{value}
+Sets the major number of the ``os version''.  Defaults to 4.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --major-subsystem-version
+@item --major-subsystem-version @var{value}
+Sets the major number of the ``subsystem version''.  Defaults to 4.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --minor-image-version
+@item --minor-image-version @var{value}
+Sets the minor number of the ``image version''.  Defaults to 0.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --minor-os-version
+@item --minor-os-version @var{value}
+Sets the minor number of the ``os version''.  Defaults to 0.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --minor-subsystem-version
+@item --minor-subsystem-version @var{value}
+Sets the minor number of the ``subsystem version''.  Defaults to 0.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@cindex DEF files, creating
+@cindex DLLs, creating
+@kindex --output-def
+@item --output-def @var{file}
+The linker will create the file @var{file} which will contain a DEF
+file corresponding to the DLL the linker is generating.  This DEF file
+(which should be called @code{*.def}) may be used to create an import
+library with @code{dlltool} or may be used as a reference to
+automatically or implicitly exported symbols.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@cindex DLLs, creating
+@kindex --enable-auto-image-base
+@item --enable-auto-image-base
+@itemx --enable-auto-image-base=@var{value}
+Automatically choose the image base for DLLs, optionally starting with base
+@var{value}, unless one is specified using the @code{--image-base} argument.
+By using a hash generated from the dllname to create unique image bases
+for each DLL, in-memory collisions and relocations which can delay program
+execution are avoided.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --disable-auto-image-base
+@item --disable-auto-image-base
+Do not automatically generate a unique image base.  If there is no
+user-specified image base (@code{--image-base}) then use the platform
+default.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@cindex DLLs, linking to
+@kindex --dll-search-prefix
+@item --dll-search-prefix @var{string}
+When linking dynamically to a dll without an import library,
+search for @code{<string><basename>.dll} in preference to
+@code{lib<basename>.dll}. This behaviour allows easy distinction
+between DLLs built for the various "subplatforms": native, cygwin,
+uwin, pw, etc.  For instance, cygwin DLLs typically use
+@code{--dll-search-prefix=cyg}.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --enable-auto-import
+@item --enable-auto-import
+Do sophisticated linking of @code{_symbol} to @code{__imp__symbol} for
+DATA imports from DLLs, thus making it possible to bypass the dllimport
+mechanism on the user side and to reference unmangled symbol names.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+The following remarks pertain to the original implementation of the
+feature and are obsolete nowadays for Cygwin and MinGW targets.
+
+Note: Use of the 'auto-import' extension will cause the text section
+of the image file to be made writable. This does not conform to the
+PE-COFF format specification published by Microsoft.
+
+Note - use of the 'auto-import' extension will also cause read only
+data which would normally be placed into the .rdata section to be
+placed into the .data section instead.  This is in order to work
+around a problem with consts that is described here:
+http://www.cygwin.com/ml/cygwin/2004-09/msg01101.html
+
+Using 'auto-import' generally will 'just work' -- but sometimes you may
+see this message:
+
+"variable '<var>' can't be auto-imported. Please read the
+documentation for ld's @code{--enable-auto-import} for details."
+
+This message occurs when some (sub)expression accesses an address
+ultimately given by the sum of two constants (Win32 import tables only
+allow one).  Instances where this may occur include accesses to member
+fields of struct variables imported from a DLL, as well as using a
+constant index into an array variable imported from a DLL.  Any
+multiword variable (arrays, structs, long long, etc) may trigger
+this error condition.  However, regardless of the exact data type
+of the offending exported variable, ld will always detect it, issue
+the warning, and exit.
+
+There are several ways to address this difficulty, regardless of the
+data type of the exported variable:
+
+One way is to use --enable-runtime-pseudo-reloc switch. This leaves the task
+of adjusting references in your client code for runtime environment, so
+this method works only when runtime environment supports this feature.
+
+A second solution is to force one of the 'constants' to be a variable --
+that is, unknown and un-optimizable at compile time.  For arrays,
+there are two possibilities: a) make the indexee (the array's address)
+a variable, or b) make the 'constant' index a variable.  Thus:
+
+@example
+extern type extern_array[];
+extern_array[1] -->
+   @{ volatile type *t=extern_array; t[1] @}
+@end example
+
+or
+
+@example
+extern type extern_array[];
+extern_array[1] -->
+   @{ volatile int t=1; extern_array[t] @}
+@end example
+
+For structs (and most other multiword data types) the only option
+is to make the struct itself (or the long long, or the ...) variable:
+
+@example
+extern struct s extern_struct;
+extern_struct.field -->
+   @{ volatile struct s *t=&extern_struct; t->field @}
+@end example
+
+or
+
+@example
+extern long long extern_ll;
+extern_ll -->
+  @{ volatile long long * local_ll=&extern_ll; *local_ll @}
+@end example
+
+A third method of dealing with this difficulty is to abandon
+'auto-import' for the offending symbol and mark it with
+@code{__declspec(dllimport)}.  However, in practice that
+requires using compile-time #defines to indicate whether you are
+building a DLL, building client code that will link to the DLL, or
+merely building/linking to a static library.   In making the choice
+between the various methods of resolving the 'direct address with
+constant offset' problem, you should consider typical real-world usage:
+
+Original:
+@example
+--foo.h
+extern int arr[];
+--foo.c
+#include "foo.h"
+void main(int argc, char **argv)@{
+  printf("%d\n",arr[1]);
+@}
+@end example
+
+Solution 1:
+@example
+--foo.h
+extern int arr[];
+--foo.c
+#include "foo.h"
+void main(int argc, char **argv)@{
+  /* This workaround is for win32 and cygwin; do not "optimize" */
+  volatile int *parr = arr;
+  printf("%d\n",parr[1]);
+@}
+@end example
+
+Solution 2:
+@example
+--foo.h
+/* Note: auto-export is assumed (no __declspec(dllexport)) */
+#if (defined(_WIN32) || defined(__CYGWIN__)) && \
+  !(defined(FOO_BUILD_DLL) || defined(FOO_STATIC))
+#define FOO_IMPORT __declspec(dllimport)
+#else
+#define FOO_IMPORT
+#endif
+extern FOO_IMPORT int arr[];
+--foo.c
+#include "foo.h"
+void main(int argc, char **argv)@{
+  printf("%d\n",arr[1]);
+@}
+@end example
+
+A fourth way to avoid this problem is to re-code your
+library to use a functional interface rather than a data interface
+for the offending variables (e.g. set_foo() and get_foo() accessor
+functions).
+
+@kindex --disable-auto-import
+@item --disable-auto-import
+Do not attempt to do sophisticated linking of @code{_symbol} to
+@code{__imp__symbol} for DATA imports from DLLs.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --enable-runtime-pseudo-reloc
+@item --enable-runtime-pseudo-reloc
+If your code contains expressions described in --enable-auto-import section,
+that is, DATA imports from DLL with non-zero offset, this switch will create
+a vector of 'runtime pseudo relocations' which can be used by runtime
+environment to adjust references to such data in your client code.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --disable-runtime-pseudo-reloc
+@item --disable-runtime-pseudo-reloc
+Do not create pseudo relocations for non-zero offset DATA imports from DLLs.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --enable-extra-pe-debug
+@item --enable-extra-pe-debug
+Show additional debug info related to auto-import symbol thunking.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --section-alignment
+@item --section-alignment
+Sets the section alignment.  Sections in memory will always begin at
+addresses which are a multiple of this number.  Defaults to 0x1000.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@cindex stack size
+@kindex --stack
+@item --stack @var{reserve}
+@itemx --stack @var{reserve},@var{commit}
+Specify the number of bytes of memory to reserve (and optionally commit)
+to be used as stack for this program.  The default is 2MB reserved, 4K
+committed.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+@kindex --subsystem
+@item --subsystem @var{which}
+@itemx --subsystem @var{which}:@var{major}
+@itemx --subsystem @var{which}:@var{major}.@var{minor}
+Specifies the subsystem under which your program will execute.  The
+legal values for @var{which} are @code{native}, @code{windows},
+@code{console}, @code{posix}, and @code{xbox}.  You may optionally set
+the subsystem version also.  Numeric values are also accepted for
+@var{which}.
+[This option is specific to the i386 PE targeted port of the linker]
+
+The following options set flags in the @code{DllCharacteristics} field
+of the PE file header:
+[These options are specific to PE targeted ports of the linker]
+
+@kindex --high-entropy-va
+@item --high-entropy-va
+Image is compatible with 64-bit address space layout randomization
+(ASLR).
+
+@kindex --dynamicbase
+@item --dynamicbase
+The image base address may be relocated using address space layout
+randomization (ASLR).  This feature was introduced with MS Windows
+Vista for i386 PE targets.
+
+@kindex --forceinteg
+@item --forceinteg
+Code integrity checks are enforced.
+
+@kindex --nxcompat
+@item --nxcompat
+The image is compatible with the Data Execution Prevention.
+This feature was introduced with MS Windows XP SP2 for i386 PE targets.
+
+@kindex --no-isolation
+@item --no-isolation
+Although the image understands isolation, do not isolate the image.
+
+@kindex --no-seh
+@item --no-seh
+The image does not use SEH. No SE handler may be called from
+this image.
+
+@kindex --no-bind
+@item --no-bind
+Do not bind this image.
+
+@kindex --wdmdriver
+@item --wdmdriver
+The driver uses the MS Windows Driver Model.
+
+@kindex --tsaware
+@item --tsaware
+The image is Terminal Server aware.
+
+@kindex --insert-timestamp
+@item --insert-timestamp
+@itemx --no-insert-timestamp
+Insert a real timestamp into the image.  This is the default behaviour
+as it matches legacy code and it means that the image will work with
+other, proprietary tools.  The problem with this default is that it
+will result in slightly different images being produced each time the
+same sources are linked.  The option @option{--no-insert-timestamp}
+can be used to insert a zero value for the timestamp, this ensuring
+that binaries produced from identical sources will compare
+identically.
+@end table
+
+@c man end
+
+@ifset C6X
+@subsection Options specific to C6X uClinux targets
+
+@c man begin OPTIONS
+
+The C6X uClinux target uses a binary format called DSBT to support shared
+libraries.  Each shared library in the system needs to have a unique index;
+all executables use an index of 0.
+
+@table @gcctabopt
+
+@kindex --dsbt-size
+@item --dsbt-size @var{size}
+This option sets the number of entries in the DSBT of the current executable
+or shared library to @var{size}.  The default is to create a table with 64
+entries.
+
+@kindex --dsbt-index
+@item --dsbt-index @var{index}
+This option sets the DSBT index of the current executable or shared library
+to @var{index}.  The default is 0, which is appropriate for generating
+executables.  If a shared library is generated with a DSBT index of 0, the
+@code{R_C6000_DSBT_INDEX} relocs are copied into the output file.
+
+@kindex --no-merge-exidx-entries
+The @samp{--no-merge-exidx-entries} switch disables the merging of adjacent
+exidx entries in frame unwind info.
+
+@end table
+
+@c man end
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset M68HC11
+@subsection Options specific to Motorola 68HC11 and 68HC12 targets
+
+@c man begin OPTIONS
+
+The 68HC11 and 68HC12 linkers support specific options to control the
+memory bank switching mapping and trampoline code generation.
+
+@table @gcctabopt
+
+@kindex --no-trampoline
+@item --no-trampoline
+This option disables the generation of trampoline. By default a trampoline
+is generated for each far function which is called using a @code{jsr}
+instruction (this happens when a pointer to a far function is taken).
+
+@kindex --bank-window
+@item --bank-window @var{name}
+This option indicates to the linker the name of the memory region in
+the @samp{MEMORY} specification that describes the memory bank window.
+The definition of such region is then used by the linker to compute
+paging and addresses within the memory window.
+
+@end table
+
+@c man end
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset M68K
+@subsection Options specific to Motorola 68K target
+
+@c man begin OPTIONS
+
+The following options are supported to control handling of GOT generation
+when linking for 68K targets.
+
+@table @gcctabopt
+
+@kindex --got
+@item --got=@var{type}
+This option tells the linker which GOT generation scheme to use.
+@var{type} should be one of @samp{single}, @samp{negative},
+@samp{multigot} or @samp{target}.  For more information refer to the
+Info entry for @file{ld}.
+
+@end table
+
+@c man end
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset MIPS
+@subsection Options specific to MIPS targets
+
+@c man begin OPTIONS
+
+The following options are supported to control microMIPS instruction
+generation and branch relocation checks for ISA mode transitions when
+linking for MIPS targets.
+
+@table @gcctabopt
+
+@kindex --insn32
+@item --insn32
+@kindex --no-insn32
+@itemx --no-insn32
+These options control the choice of microMIPS instructions used in code
+generated by the linker, such as that in the PLT or lazy binding stubs,
+or in relaxation.  If @samp{--insn32} is used, then the linker only uses
+32-bit instruction encodings.  By default or if @samp{--no-insn32} is
+used, all instruction encodings are used, including 16-bit ones where
+possible.
+
+@kindex --ignore-branch-isa
+@item --ignore-branch-isa
+@kindex --no-ignore-branch-isa
+@itemx --no-ignore-branch-isa
+These options control branch relocation checks for invalid ISA mode
+transitions.  If @samp{--ignore-branch-isa} is used, then the linker
+accepts any branch relocations and any ISA mode transition required
+is lost in relocation calculation, except for some cases of @code{BAL}
+instructions which meet relaxation conditions and are converted to
+equivalent @code{JALX} instructions as the associated relocation is
+calculated.  By default or if @samp{--no-ignore-branch-isa} is used
+a check is made causing the loss of an ISA mode transition to produce
+an error.
+
+@end table
+
+@c man end
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset UsesEnvVars
+@node Environment
+@section Environment Variables
+
+@c man begin ENVIRONMENT
+
+You can change the behaviour of @command{ld} with the environment variables
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+@code{GNUTARGET},
+@end ifclear
+@code{LDEMULATION} and @code{COLLECT_NO_DEMANGLE}.
+
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+@kindex GNUTARGET
+@cindex default input format
+@code{GNUTARGET} determines the input-file object format if you don't
+use @samp{-b} (or its synonym @samp{--format}).  Its value should be one
+of the BFD names for an input format (@pxref{BFD}).  If there is no
+@code{GNUTARGET} in the environment, @command{ld} uses the natural format
+of the target. If @code{GNUTARGET} is set to @code{default} then BFD
+attempts to discover the input format by examining binary input files;
+this method often succeeds, but there are potential ambiguities, since
+there is no method of ensuring that the magic number used to specify
+object-file formats is unique.  However, the configuration procedure for
+BFD on each system places the conventional format for that system first
+in the search-list, so ambiguities are resolved in favor of convention.
+@end ifclear
+
+@kindex LDEMULATION
+@cindex default emulation
+@cindex emulation, default
+@code{LDEMULATION} determines the default emulation if you don't use the
+@samp{-m} option.  The emulation can affect various aspects of linker
+behaviour, particularly the default linker script.  You can list the
+available emulations with the @samp{--verbose} or @samp{-V} options.  If
+the @samp{-m} option is not used, and the @code{LDEMULATION} environment
+variable is not defined, the default emulation depends upon how the
+linker was configured.
+
+@kindex COLLECT_NO_DEMANGLE
+@cindex demangling, default
+Normally, the linker will default to demangling symbols.  However, if
+@code{COLLECT_NO_DEMANGLE} is set in the environment, then it will
+default to not demangling symbols.  This environment variable is used in
+a similar fashion by the @code{gcc} linker wrapper program.  The default
+may be overridden by the @samp{--demangle} and @samp{--no-demangle}
+options.
+
+@c man end
+@end ifset
+
+@node Scripts
+@chapter Linker Scripts
+
+@cindex scripts
+@cindex linker scripts
+@cindex command files
+Every link is controlled by a @dfn{linker script}.  This script is
+written in the linker command language.
+
+The main purpose of the linker script is to describe how the sections in
+the input files should be mapped into the output file, and to control
+the memory layout of the output file.  Most linker scripts do nothing
+more than this.  However, when necessary, the linker script can also
+direct the linker to perform many other operations, using the commands
+described below.
+
+The linker always uses a linker script.  If you do not supply one
+yourself, the linker will use a default script that is compiled into the
+linker executable.  You can use the @samp{--verbose} command line option
+to display the default linker script.  Certain command line options,
+such as @samp{-r} or @samp{-N}, will affect the default linker script.
+
+You may supply your own linker script by using the @samp{-T} command
+line option.  When you do this, your linker script will replace the
+default linker script.
+
+You may also use linker scripts implicitly by naming them as input files
+to the linker, as though they were files to be linked.  @xref{Implicit
+Linker Scripts}.
+
+@menu
+* Basic Script Concepts::	Basic Linker Script Concepts
+* Script Format::		Linker Script Format
+* Simple Example::		Simple Linker Script Example
+* Simple Commands::		Simple Linker Script Commands
+* Assignments::			Assigning Values to Symbols
+* SECTIONS::			SECTIONS Command
+* MEMORY::			MEMORY Command
+* PHDRS::			PHDRS Command
+* VERSION::			VERSION Command
+* Expressions::			Expressions in Linker Scripts
+* Implicit Linker Scripts::	Implicit Linker Scripts
+@end menu
+
+@node Basic Script Concepts
+@section Basic Linker Script Concepts
+@cindex linker script concepts
+We need to define some basic concepts and vocabulary in order to
+describe the linker script language.
+
+The linker combines input files into a single output file.  The output
+file and each input file are in a special data format known as an
+@dfn{object file format}.  Each file is called an @dfn{object file}.
+The output file is often called an @dfn{executable}, but for our
+purposes we will also call it an object file.  Each object file has,
+among other things, a list of @dfn{sections}.  We sometimes refer to a
+section in an input file as an @dfn{input section}; similarly, a section
+in the output file is an @dfn{output section}.
+
+Each section in an object file has a name and a size.  Most sections
+also have an associated block of data, known as the @dfn{section
+contents}.  A section may be marked as @dfn{loadable}, which means that
+the contents should be loaded into memory when the output file is run.
+A section with no contents may be @dfn{allocatable}, which means that an
+area in memory should be set aside, but nothing in particular should be
+loaded there (in some cases this memory must be zeroed out).  A section
+which is neither loadable nor allocatable typically contains some sort
+of debugging information.
+
+Every loadable or allocatable output section has two addresses.  The
+first is the @dfn{VMA}, or virtual memory address.  This is the address
+the section will have when the output file is run.  The second is the
+@dfn{LMA}, or load memory address.  This is the address at which the
+section will be loaded.  In most cases the two addresses will be the
+same.  An example of when they might be different is when a data section
+is loaded into ROM, and then copied into RAM when the program starts up
+(this technique is often used to initialize global variables in a ROM
+based system).  In this case the ROM address would be the LMA, and the
+RAM address would be the VMA.
+
+You can see the sections in an object file by using the @code{objdump}
+program with the @samp{-h} option.
+
+Every object file also has a list of @dfn{symbols}, known as the
+@dfn{symbol table}.  A symbol may be defined or undefined.  Each symbol
+has a name, and each defined symbol has an address, among other
+information.  If you compile a C or C++ program into an object file, you
+will get a defined symbol for every defined function and global or
+static variable.  Every undefined function or global variable which is
+referenced in the input file will become an undefined symbol.
+
+You can see the symbols in an object file by using the @code{nm}
+program, or by using the @code{objdump} program with the @samp{-t}
+option.
+
+@node Script Format
+@section Linker Script Format
+@cindex linker script format
+Linker scripts are text files.
+
+You write a linker script as a series of commands.  Each command is
+either a keyword, possibly followed by arguments, or an assignment to a
+symbol.  You may separate commands using semicolons.  Whitespace is
+generally ignored.
+
+Strings such as file or format names can normally be entered directly.
+If the file name contains a character such as a comma which would
+otherwise serve to separate file names, you may put the file name in
+double quotes.  There is no way to use a double quote character in a
+file name.
+
+You may include comments in linker scripts just as in C, delimited by
+@samp{/*} and @samp{*/}.  As in C, comments are syntactically equivalent
+to whitespace.
+
+@node Simple Example
+@section Simple Linker Script Example
+@cindex linker script example
+@cindex example of linker script
+Many linker scripts are fairly simple.
+
+The simplest possible linker script has just one command:
+@samp{SECTIONS}.  You use the @samp{SECTIONS} command to describe the
+memory layout of the output file.
+
+The @samp{SECTIONS} command is a powerful command.  Here we will
+describe a simple use of it.  Let's assume your program consists only of
+code, initialized data, and uninitialized data.  These will be in the
+@samp{.text}, @samp{.data}, and @samp{.bss} sections, respectively.
+Let's assume further that these are the only sections which appear in
+your input files.
+
+For this example, let's say that the code should be loaded at address
+0x10000, and that the data should start at address 0x8000000.  Here is a
+linker script which will do that:
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  . = 0x10000;
+  .text : @{ *(.text) @}
+  . = 0x8000000;
+  .data : @{ *(.data) @}
+  .bss : @{ *(.bss) @}
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+You write the @samp{SECTIONS} command as the keyword @samp{SECTIONS},
+followed by a series of symbol assignments and output section
+descriptions enclosed in curly braces.
+
+The first line inside the @samp{SECTIONS} command of the above example
+sets the value of the special symbol @samp{.}, which is the location
+counter.  If you do not specify the address of an output section in some
+other way (other ways are described later), the address is set from the
+current value of the location counter.  The location counter is then
+incremented by the size of the output section.  At the start of the
+@samp{SECTIONS} command, the location counter has the value @samp{0}.
+
+The second line defines an output section, @samp{.text}.  The colon is
+required syntax which may be ignored for now.  Within the curly braces
+after the output section name, you list the names of the input sections
+which should be placed into this output section.  The @samp{*} is a
+wildcard which matches any file name.  The expression @samp{*(.text)}
+means all @samp{.text} input sections in all input files.
+
+Since the location counter is @samp{0x10000} when the output section
+@samp{.text} is defined, the linker will set the address of the
+@samp{.text} section in the output file to be @samp{0x10000}.
+
+The remaining lines define the @samp{.data} and @samp{.bss} sections in
+the output file.  The linker will place the @samp{.data} output section
+at address @samp{0x8000000}.  After the linker places the @samp{.data}
+output section, the value of the location counter will be
+@samp{0x8000000} plus the size of the @samp{.data} output section.  The
+effect is that the linker will place the @samp{.bss} output section
+immediately after the @samp{.data} output section in memory.
+
+The linker will ensure that each output section has the required
+alignment, by increasing the location counter if necessary.  In this
+example, the specified addresses for the @samp{.text} and @samp{.data}
+sections will probably satisfy any alignment constraints, but the linker
+may have to create a small gap between the @samp{.data} and @samp{.bss}
+sections.
+
+That's it!  That's a simple and complete linker script.
+
+@node Simple Commands
+@section Simple Linker Script Commands
+@cindex linker script simple commands
+In this section we describe the simple linker script commands.
+
+@menu
+* Entry Point::			Setting the entry point
+* File Commands::		Commands dealing with files
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+* Format Commands::		Commands dealing with object file formats
+@end ifclear
+
+* REGION_ALIAS::		Assign alias names to memory regions
+* Miscellaneous Commands::	Other linker script commands
+@end menu
+
+@node Entry Point
+@subsection Setting the Entry Point
+@kindex ENTRY(@var{symbol})
+@cindex start of execution
+@cindex first instruction
+@cindex entry point
+The first instruction to execute in a program is called the @dfn{entry
+point}.  You can use the @code{ENTRY} linker script command to set the
+entry point.  The argument is a symbol name:
+@smallexample
+ENTRY(@var{symbol})
+@end smallexample
+
+There are several ways to set the entry point.  The linker will set the
+entry point by trying each of the following methods in order, and
+stopping when one of them succeeds:
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+the @samp{-e} @var{entry} command-line option;
+@item
+the @code{ENTRY(@var{symbol})} command in a linker script;
+@item
+the value of a target specific symbol, if it is defined;  For many
+targets this is @code{start}, but PE and BeOS based systems for example
+check a list of possible entry symbols, matching the first one found.
+@item
+the address of the first byte of the @samp{.text} section, if present;
+@item
+The address @code{0}.
+@end itemize
+
+@node File Commands
+@subsection Commands Dealing with Files
+@cindex linker script file commands
+Several linker script commands deal with files.
+
+@table @code
+@item INCLUDE @var{filename}
+@kindex INCLUDE @var{filename}
+@cindex including a linker script
+Include the linker script @var{filename} at this point.  The file will
+be searched for in the current directory, and in any directory specified
+with the @option{-L} option.  You can nest calls to @code{INCLUDE} up to
+10 levels deep.
+
+You can place @code{INCLUDE} directives at the top level, in @code{MEMORY} or
+@code{SECTIONS} commands, or in output section descriptions.
+
+@item INPUT(@var{file}, @var{file}, @dots{})
+@itemx INPUT(@var{file} @var{file} @dots{})
+@kindex INPUT(@var{files})
+@cindex input files in linker scripts
+@cindex input object files in linker scripts
+@cindex linker script input object files
+The @code{INPUT} command directs the linker to include the named files
+in the link, as though they were named on the command line.
+
+For example, if you always want to include @file{subr.o} any time you do
+a link, but you can't be bothered to put it on every link command line,
+then you can put @samp{INPUT (subr.o)} in your linker script.
+
+In fact, if you like, you can list all of your input files in the linker
+script, and then invoke the linker with nothing but a @samp{-T} option.
+
+In case a @dfn{sysroot prefix} is configured, and the filename starts
+with the @samp{/} character, and the script being processed was
+located inside the @dfn{sysroot prefix}, the filename will be looked
+for in the @dfn{sysroot prefix}.  Otherwise, the linker will try to
+open the file in the current directory.  If it is not found, the
+linker will search through the archive library search path.
+The @dfn{sysroot prefix} can also be forced by specifying @code{=}
+as the first character in the filename path, or prefixing the filename
+path with @code{$SYSROOT}.  See also the description of @samp{-L} in
+@ref{Options,,Command Line Options}.
+
+If you use @samp{INPUT (-l@var{file})}, @command{ld} will transform the
+name to @code{lib@var{file}.a}, as with the command line argument
+@samp{-l}.
+
+When you use the @code{INPUT} command in an implicit linker script, the
+files will be included in the link at the point at which the linker
+script file is included.  This can affect archive searching.
+
+@item GROUP(@var{file}, @var{file}, @dots{})
+@itemx GROUP(@var{file} @var{file} @dots{})
+@kindex GROUP(@var{files})
+@cindex grouping input files
+The @code{GROUP} command is like @code{INPUT}, except that the named
+files should all be archives, and they are searched repeatedly until no
+new undefined references are created.  See the description of @samp{-(}
+in @ref{Options,,Command Line Options}.
+
+@item AS_NEEDED(@var{file}, @var{file}, @dots{})
+@itemx AS_NEEDED(@var{file} @var{file} @dots{})
+@kindex AS_NEEDED(@var{files})
+This construct can appear only inside of the @code{INPUT} or @code{GROUP}
+commands, among other filenames.  The files listed will be handled
+as if they appear directly in the @code{INPUT} or @code{GROUP} commands,
+with the exception of ELF shared libraries, that will be added only
+when they are actually needed.  This construct essentially enables
+@option{--as-needed} option for all the files listed inside of it
+and restores previous @option{--as-needed} resp. @option{--no-as-needed}
+setting afterwards.
+
+@item OUTPUT(@var{filename})
+@kindex OUTPUT(@var{filename})
+@cindex output file name in linker script
+The @code{OUTPUT} command names the output file.  Using
+@code{OUTPUT(@var{filename})} in the linker script is exactly like using
+@samp{-o @var{filename}} on the command line (@pxref{Options,,Command
+Line Options}).  If both are used, the command line option takes
+precedence.
+
+You can use the @code{OUTPUT} command to define a default name for the
+output file other than the usual default of @file{a.out}.
+
+@item SEARCH_DIR(@var{path})
+@kindex SEARCH_DIR(@var{path})
+@cindex library search path in linker script
+@cindex archive search path in linker script
+@cindex search path in linker script
+The @code{SEARCH_DIR} command adds @var{path} to the list of paths where
+@command{ld} looks for archive libraries.  Using
+@code{SEARCH_DIR(@var{path})} is exactly like using @samp{-L @var{path}}
+on the command line (@pxref{Options,,Command Line Options}).  If both
+are used, then the linker will search both paths.  Paths specified using
+the command line option are searched first.
+
+@item STARTUP(@var{filename})
+@kindex STARTUP(@var{filename})
+@cindex first input file
+The @code{STARTUP} command is just like the @code{INPUT} command, except
+that @var{filename} will become the first input file to be linked, as
+though it were specified first on the command line.  This may be useful
+when using a system in which the entry point is always the start of the
+first file.
+@end table
+
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+@node Format Commands
+@subsection Commands Dealing with Object File Formats
+A couple of linker script commands deal with object file formats.
+
+@table @code
+@item OUTPUT_FORMAT(@var{bfdname})
+@itemx OUTPUT_FORMAT(@var{default}, @var{big}, @var{little})
+@kindex OUTPUT_FORMAT(@var{bfdname})
+@cindex output file format in linker script
+The @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT} command names the BFD format to use for the
+output file (@pxref{BFD}).  Using @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT(@var{bfdname})} is
+exactly like using @samp{--oformat @var{bfdname}} on the command line
+(@pxref{Options,,Command Line Options}).  If both are used, the command
+line option takes precedence.
+
+You can use @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT} with three arguments to use different
+formats based on the @samp{-EB} and @samp{-EL} command line options.
+This permits the linker script to set the output format based on the
+desired endianness.
+
+If neither @samp{-EB} nor @samp{-EL} are used, then the output format
+will be the first argument, @var{default}.  If @samp{-EB} is used, the
+output format will be the second argument, @var{big}.  If @samp{-EL} is
+used, the output format will be the third argument, @var{little}.
+
+For example, the default linker script for the MIPS ELF target uses this
+command:
+@smallexample
+OUTPUT_FORMAT(elf32-bigmips, elf32-bigmips, elf32-littlemips)
+@end smallexample
+This says that the default format for the output file is
+@samp{elf32-bigmips}, but if the user uses the @samp{-EL} command line
+option, the output file will be created in the @samp{elf32-littlemips}
+format.
+
+@item TARGET(@var{bfdname})
+@kindex TARGET(@var{bfdname})
+@cindex input file format in linker script
+The @code{TARGET} command names the BFD format to use when reading input
+files.  It affects subsequent @code{INPUT} and @code{GROUP} commands.
+This command is like using @samp{-b @var{bfdname}} on the command line
+(@pxref{Options,,Command Line Options}).  If the @code{TARGET} command
+is used but @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT} is not, then the last @code{TARGET}
+command is also used to set the format for the output file.  @xref{BFD}.
+@end table
+@end ifclear
+
+@node REGION_ALIAS
+@subsection Assign alias names to memory regions
+@kindex REGION_ALIAS(@var{alias}, @var{region})
+@cindex region alias
+@cindex region names
+
+Alias names can be added to existing memory regions created with the
+@ref{MEMORY} command.  Each name corresponds to at most one memory region.
+
+@smallexample
+REGION_ALIAS(@var{alias}, @var{region})
+@end smallexample
+
+The @code{REGION_ALIAS} function creates an alias name @var{alias} for the
+memory region @var{region}.  This allows a flexible mapping of output sections
+to memory regions.  An example follows.
+
+Suppose we have an application for embedded systems which come with various
+memory storage devices.  All have a general purpose, volatile memory @code{RAM}
+that allows code execution or data storage.  Some may have a read-only,
+non-volatile memory @code{ROM} that allows code execution and read-only data
+access.  The last variant is a read-only, non-volatile memory @code{ROM2} with
+read-only data access and no code execution capability.  We have four output
+sections:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+@code{.text} program code;
+@item
+@code{.rodata} read-only data;
+@item
+@code{.data} read-write initialized data;
+@item
+@code{.bss} read-write zero initialized data.
+@end itemize
+
+The goal is to provide a linker command file that contains a system independent
+part defining the output sections and a system dependent part mapping the
+output sections to the memory regions available on the system.  Our embedded
+systems come with three different memory setups @code{A}, @code{B} and
+@code{C}:
+@multitable @columnfractions .25 .25 .25 .25
+@item Section @tab Variant A @tab Variant B @tab Variant C
+@item .text @tab RAM @tab ROM @tab ROM
+@item .rodata @tab RAM @tab ROM @tab ROM2
+@item .data @tab RAM @tab RAM/ROM @tab RAM/ROM2
+@item .bss @tab RAM @tab RAM @tab RAM
+@end multitable
+The notation @code{RAM/ROM} or @code{RAM/ROM2} means that this section is
+loaded into region @code{ROM} or @code{ROM2} respectively.  Please note that
+the load address of the @code{.data} section starts in all three variants at
+the end of the @code{.rodata} section.
+
+The base linker script that deals with the output sections follows.  It
+includes the system dependent @code{linkcmds.memory} file that describes the
+memory layout:
+@smallexample
+INCLUDE linkcmds.memory
+
+SECTIONS
+  @{
+    .text :
+      @{
+        *(.text)
+      @} > REGION_TEXT
+    .rodata :
+      @{
+        *(.rodata)
+        rodata_end = .;
+      @} > REGION_RODATA
+    .data : AT (rodata_end)
+      @{
+        data_start = .;
+        *(.data)
+      @} > REGION_DATA
+    data_size = SIZEOF(.data);
+    data_load_start = LOADADDR(.data);
+    .bss :
+      @{
+        *(.bss)
+      @} > REGION_BSS
+  @}
+@end smallexample
+
+Now we need three different @code{linkcmds.memory} files to define memory
+regions and alias names.  The content of @code{linkcmds.memory} for the three
+variants @code{A}, @code{B} and @code{C}:
+@table @code
+@item A
+Here everything goes into the @code{RAM}.
+@smallexample
+MEMORY
+  @{
+    RAM : ORIGIN = 0, LENGTH = 4M
+  @}
+
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_TEXT", RAM);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_RODATA", RAM);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_DATA", RAM);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_BSS", RAM);
+@end smallexample
+@item B
+Program code and read-only data go into the @code{ROM}.  Read-write data goes
+into the @code{RAM}.  An image of the initialized data is loaded into the
+@code{ROM} and will be copied during system start into the @code{RAM}.
+@smallexample
+MEMORY
+  @{
+    ROM : ORIGIN = 0, LENGTH = 3M
+    RAM : ORIGIN = 0x10000000, LENGTH = 1M
+  @}
+
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_TEXT", ROM);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_RODATA", ROM);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_DATA", RAM);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_BSS", RAM);
+@end smallexample
+@item C
+Program code goes into the @code{ROM}.  Read-only data goes into the
+@code{ROM2}.  Read-write data goes into the @code{RAM}.  An image of the
+initialized data is loaded into the @code{ROM2} and will be copied during
+system start into the @code{RAM}.
+@smallexample
+MEMORY
+  @{
+    ROM : ORIGIN = 0, LENGTH = 2M
+    ROM2 : ORIGIN = 0x10000000, LENGTH = 1M
+    RAM : ORIGIN = 0x20000000, LENGTH = 1M
+  @}
+
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_TEXT", ROM);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_RODATA", ROM2);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_DATA", RAM);
+REGION_ALIAS("REGION_BSS", RAM);
+@end smallexample
+@end table
+
+It is possible to write a common system initialization routine to copy the
+@code{.data} section from @code{ROM} or @code{ROM2} into the @code{RAM} if
+necessary:
+@smallexample
+#include <string.h>
+
+extern char data_start [];
+extern char data_size [];
+extern char data_load_start [];
+
+void copy_data(void)
+@{
+  if (data_start != data_load_start)
+    @{
+      memcpy(data_start, data_load_start, (size_t) data_size);
+    @}
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+@node Miscellaneous Commands
+@subsection Other Linker Script Commands
+There are a few other linker scripts commands.
+
+@table @code
+@item ASSERT(@var{exp}, @var{message})
+@kindex ASSERT
+@cindex assertion in linker script
+Ensure that @var{exp} is non-zero.  If it is zero, then exit the linker
+with an error code, and print @var{message}.
+
+Note that assertions are checked before the final stages of linking
+take place.  This means that expressions involving symbols PROVIDEd
+inside section definitions will fail if the user has not set values
+for those symbols.  The only exception to this rule is PROVIDEd
+symbols that just reference dot.  Thus an assertion like this:
+
+@smallexample
+  .stack :
+  @{
+    PROVIDE (__stack = .);
+    PROVIDE (__stack_size = 0x100);
+    ASSERT ((__stack > (_end + __stack_size)), "Error: No room left for the stack");
+  @}
+@end smallexample
+
+will fail if @code{__stack_size} is not defined elsewhere.  Symbols
+PROVIDEd outside of section definitions are evaluated earlier, so they
+can be used inside ASSERTions.  Thus:
+
+@smallexample
+  PROVIDE (__stack_size = 0x100);
+  .stack :
+  @{
+    PROVIDE (__stack = .);
+    ASSERT ((__stack > (_end + __stack_size)), "Error: No room left for the stack");
+  @}
+@end smallexample
+
+will work.
+
+@item EXTERN(@var{symbol} @var{symbol} @dots{})
+@kindex EXTERN
+@cindex undefined symbol in linker script
+Force @var{symbol} to be entered in the output file as an undefined
+symbol.  Doing this may, for example, trigger linking of additional
+modules from standard libraries.  You may list several @var{symbol}s for
+each @code{EXTERN}, and you may use @code{EXTERN} multiple times.  This
+command has the same effect as the @samp{-u} command-line option.
+
+@item FORCE_COMMON_ALLOCATION
+@kindex FORCE_COMMON_ALLOCATION
+@cindex common allocation in linker script
+This command has the same effect as the @samp{-d} command-line option:
+to make @command{ld} assign space to common symbols even if a relocatable
+output file is specified (@samp{-r}).
+
+@item INHIBIT_COMMON_ALLOCATION
+@kindex INHIBIT_COMMON_ALLOCATION
+@cindex common allocation in linker script
+This command has the same effect as the @samp{--no-define-common}
+command-line option: to make @code{ld} omit the assignment of addresses
+to common symbols even for a non-relocatable output file.
+
+@item FORCE_GROUP_ALLOCATION
+@kindex FORCE_GROUP_ALLOCATION
+@cindex group allocation in linker script
+@cindex section groups
+@cindex COMDAT
+This command has the same effect as the
+@samp{--force-group-allocation} command-line option: to make
+@command{ld} place section group members like normal input sections,
+and to delete the section groups even if a relocatable output file is
+specified (@samp{-r}).
+
+@item INSERT [ AFTER | BEFORE ] @var{output_section}
+@kindex INSERT
+@cindex insert user script into default script
+This command is typically used in a script specified by @samp{-T} to
+augment the default @code{SECTIONS} with, for example, overlays.  It
+inserts all prior linker script statements after (or before)
+@var{output_section}, and also causes @samp{-T} to not override the
+default linker script.  The exact insertion point is as for orphan
+sections.  @xref{Location Counter}.  The insertion happens after the
+linker has mapped input sections to output sections.  Prior to the
+insertion, since @samp{-T} scripts are parsed before the default
+linker script, statements in the @samp{-T} script occur before the
+default linker script statements in the internal linker representation
+of the script.  In particular, input section assignments will be made
+to @samp{-T} output sections before those in the default script.  Here
+is an example of how a @samp{-T} script using @code{INSERT} might look:
+
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  OVERLAY :
+  @{
+    .ov1 @{ ov1*(.text) @}
+    .ov2 @{ ov2*(.text) @}
+  @}
+@}
+INSERT AFTER .text;
+@end smallexample
+
+@item NOCROSSREFS(@var{section} @var{section} @dots{})
+@kindex NOCROSSREFS(@var{sections})
+@cindex cross references
+This command may be used to tell @command{ld} to issue an error about any
+references among certain output sections.
+
+In certain types of programs, particularly on embedded systems when
+using overlays, when one section is loaded into memory, another section
+will not be.  Any direct references between the two sections would be
+errors.  For example, it would be an error if code in one section called
+a function defined in the other section.
+
+The @code{NOCROSSREFS} command takes a list of output section names.  If
+@command{ld} detects any cross references between the sections, it reports
+an error and returns a non-zero exit status.  Note that the
+@code{NOCROSSREFS} command uses output section names, not input section
+names.
+
+@item NOCROSSREFS_TO(@var{tosection} @var{fromsection} @dots{})
+@kindex NOCROSSREFS_TO(@var{tosection} @var{fromsections})
+@cindex cross references
+This command may be used to tell @command{ld} to issue an error about any
+references to one section from a list of other sections.
+
+The @code{NOCROSSREFS} command is useful when ensuring that two or more
+output sections are entirely independent but there are situations where
+a one-way dependency is needed. For example, in a multi-core application
+there may be shared code that can be called from each core but for safety
+must never call back.
+
+The @code{NOCROSSREFS_TO} command takes a list of output section names.
+The first section can not be referenced from any of the other sections.
+If @command{ld} detects any references to the first section from any of
+the other sections, it reports an error and returns a non-zero exit
+status.  Note that the @code{NOCROSSREFS_TO} command uses output section
+names, not input section names.
+
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+@item OUTPUT_ARCH(@var{bfdarch})
+@kindex OUTPUT_ARCH(@var{bfdarch})
+@cindex machine architecture
+@cindex architecture
+Specify a particular output machine architecture.  The argument is one
+of the names used by the BFD library (@pxref{BFD}).  You can see the
+architecture of an object file by using the @code{objdump} program with
+the @samp{-f} option.
+@end ifclear
+
+@item LD_FEATURE(@var{string})
+@kindex LD_FEATURE(@var{string})
+This command may be used to modify @command{ld} behavior.  If
+@var{string} is @code{"SANE_EXPR"} then absolute symbols and numbers
+in a script are simply treated as numbers everywhere.
+@xref{Expression Section}.
+@end table
+
+@node Assignments
+@section Assigning Values to Symbols
+@cindex assignment in scripts
+@cindex symbol definition, scripts
+@cindex variables, defining
+You may assign a value to a symbol in a linker script.  This will define
+the symbol and place it into the symbol table with a global scope.
+
+@menu
+* Simple Assignments::		Simple Assignments
+* HIDDEN::			HIDDEN
+* PROVIDE::			PROVIDE
+* PROVIDE_HIDDEN::		PROVIDE_HIDDEN
+* Source Code Reference::	How to use a linker script defined symbol in source code
+@end menu
+
+@node Simple Assignments
+@subsection Simple Assignments
+
+You may assign to a symbol using any of the C assignment operators:
+
+@table @code
+@item @var{symbol} = @var{expression} ;
+@itemx @var{symbol} += @var{expression} ;
+@itemx @var{symbol} -= @var{expression} ;
+@itemx @var{symbol} *= @var{expression} ;
+@itemx @var{symbol} /= @var{expression} ;
+@itemx @var{symbol} <<= @var{expression} ;
+@itemx @var{symbol} >>= @var{expression} ;
+@itemx @var{symbol} &= @var{expression} ;
+@itemx @var{symbol} |= @var{expression} ;
+@end table
+
+The first case will define @var{symbol} to the value of
+@var{expression}.  In the other cases, @var{symbol} must already be
+defined, and the value will be adjusted accordingly.
+
+The special symbol name @samp{.} indicates the location counter.  You
+may only use this within a @code{SECTIONS} command.  @xref{Location Counter}.
+
+The semicolon after @var{expression} is required.
+
+Expressions are defined below; see @ref{Expressions}.
+
+You may write symbol assignments as commands in their own right, or as
+statements within a @code{SECTIONS} command, or as part of an output
+section description in a @code{SECTIONS} command.
+
+The section of the symbol will be set from the section of the
+expression; for more information, see @ref{Expression Section}.
+
+Here is an example showing the three different places that symbol
+assignments may be used:
+
+@smallexample
+floating_point = 0;
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  .text :
+    @{
+      *(.text)
+      _etext = .;
+    @}
+  _bdata = (. + 3) & ~ 3;
+  .data : @{ *(.data) @}
+@}
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+In this example, the symbol @samp{floating_point} will be defined as
+zero.  The symbol @samp{_etext} will be defined as the address following
+the last @samp{.text} input section.  The symbol @samp{_bdata} will be
+defined as the address following the @samp{.text} output section aligned
+upward to a 4 byte boundary.
+
+@node HIDDEN
+@subsection HIDDEN
+@cindex HIDDEN
+For ELF targeted ports, define a symbol that will be hidden and won't be
+exported.  The syntax is @code{HIDDEN(@var{symbol} = @var{expression})}.
+
+Here is the example from @ref{Simple Assignments}, rewritten to use
+@code{HIDDEN}:
+
+@smallexample
+HIDDEN(floating_point = 0);
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  .text :
+    @{
+      *(.text)
+      HIDDEN(_etext = .);
+    @}
+  HIDDEN(_bdata = (. + 3) & ~ 3);
+  .data : @{ *(.data) @}
+@}
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+In this case none of the three symbols will be visible outside this module.
+
+@node PROVIDE
+@subsection PROVIDE
+@cindex PROVIDE
+In some cases, it is desirable for a linker script to define a symbol
+only if it is referenced and is not defined by any object included in
+the link.  For example, traditional linkers defined the symbol
+@samp{etext}.  However, ANSI C requires that the user be able to use
+@samp{etext} as a function name without encountering an error.  The
+@code{PROVIDE} keyword may be used to define a symbol, such as
+@samp{etext}, only if it is referenced but not defined.  The syntax is
+@code{PROVIDE(@var{symbol} = @var{expression})}.
+
+Here is an example of using @code{PROVIDE} to define @samp{etext}:
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  .text :
+    @{
+      *(.text)
+      _etext = .;
+      PROVIDE(etext = .);
+    @}
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+In this example, if the program defines @samp{_etext} (with a leading
+underscore), the linker will give a multiple definition error.  If, on
+the other hand, the program defines @samp{etext} (with no leading
+underscore), the linker will silently use the definition in the program.
+If the program references @samp{etext} but does not define it, the
+linker will use the definition in the linker script.
+
+Note - the @code{PROVIDE} directive considers a common symbol to be
+defined, even though such a symbol could be combined with the symbol
+that the @code{PROVIDE} would create.  This is particularly important
+when considering constructor and destructor list symbols such as
+@samp{__CTOR_LIST__} as these are often defined as common symbols.
+
+@node PROVIDE_HIDDEN
+@subsection PROVIDE_HIDDEN
+@cindex PROVIDE_HIDDEN
+Similar to @code{PROVIDE}.  For ELF targeted ports, the symbol will be
+hidden and won't be exported.
+
+@node Source Code Reference
+@subsection Source Code Reference
+
+Accessing a linker script defined variable from source code is not
+intuitive.  In particular a linker script symbol is not equivalent to
+a variable declaration in a high level language, it is instead a
+symbol that does not have a value.
+
+Before going further, it is important to note that compilers often
+transform names in the source code into different names when they are
+stored in the symbol table.  For example, Fortran compilers commonly
+prepend or append an underscore, and C++ performs extensive @samp{name
+mangling}.  Therefore there might be a discrepancy between the name
+of a variable as it is used in source code and the name of the same
+variable as it is defined in a linker script.  For example in C a
+linker script variable might be referred to as:
+
+@smallexample
+  extern int foo;
+@end smallexample
+
+But in the linker script it might be defined as:
+
+@smallexample
+  _foo = 1000;
+@end smallexample
+
+In the remaining examples however it is assumed that no name
+transformation has taken place.
+
+When a symbol is declared in a high level language such as C, two
+things happen.  The first is that the compiler reserves enough space
+in the program's memory to hold the @emph{value} of the symbol.  The
+second is that the compiler creates an entry in the program's symbol
+table which holds the symbol's @emph{address}.  ie the symbol table
+contains the address of the block of memory holding the symbol's
+value.  So for example the following C declaration, at file scope:
+
+@smallexample
+  int foo = 1000;
+@end smallexample
+
+creates an entry called @samp{foo} in the symbol table.  This entry
+holds the address of an @samp{int} sized block of memory where the
+number 1000 is initially stored.
+
+When a program references a symbol the compiler generates code that
+first accesses the symbol table to find the address of the symbol's
+memory block and then code to read the value from that memory block.
+So:
+
+@smallexample
+  foo = 1;
+@end smallexample
+
+looks up the symbol @samp{foo} in the symbol table, gets the address
+associated with this symbol and then writes the value 1 into that
+address.  Whereas:
+
+@smallexample
+  int * a = & foo;
+@end smallexample
+
+looks up the symbol @samp{foo} in the symbol table, gets its address
+and then copies this address into the block of memory associated with
+the variable @samp{a}.
+
+Linker scripts symbol declarations, by contrast, create an entry in
+the symbol table but do not assign any memory to them.  Thus they are
+an address without a value.  So for example the linker script definition:
+
+@smallexample
+  foo = 1000;
+@end smallexample
+
+creates an entry in the symbol table called @samp{foo} which holds
+the address of memory location 1000, but nothing special is stored at
+address 1000.  This means that you cannot access the @emph{value} of a
+linker script defined symbol - it has no value - all you can do is
+access the @emph{address} of a linker script defined symbol.
+
+Hence when you are using a linker script defined symbol in source code
+you should always take the address of the symbol, and never attempt to
+use its value.  For example suppose you want to copy the contents of a
+section of memory called .ROM into a section called .FLASH and the
+linker script contains these declarations:
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+  start_of_ROM   = .ROM;
+  end_of_ROM     = .ROM + sizeof (.ROM);
+  start_of_FLASH = .FLASH;
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+Then the C source code to perform the copy would be:
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+  extern char start_of_ROM, end_of_ROM, start_of_FLASH;
+
+  memcpy (& start_of_FLASH, & start_of_ROM, & end_of_ROM - & start_of_ROM);
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+Note the use of the @samp{&} operators.  These are correct.
+Alternatively the symbols can be treated as the names of vectors or
+arrays and then the code will again work as expected:
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+  extern char start_of_ROM[], end_of_ROM[], start_of_FLASH[];
+
+  memcpy (start_of_FLASH, start_of_ROM, end_of_ROM - start_of_ROM);
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+Note how using this method does not require the use of @samp{&}
+operators.
+
+@node SECTIONS
+@section SECTIONS Command
+@kindex SECTIONS
+The @code{SECTIONS} command tells the linker how to map input sections
+into output sections, and how to place the output sections in memory.
+
+The format of the @code{SECTIONS} command is:
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  @var{sections-command}
+  @var{sections-command}
+  @dots{}
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+Each @var{sections-command} may of be one of the following:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+an @code{ENTRY} command (@pxref{Entry Point,,Entry command})
+@item
+a symbol assignment (@pxref{Assignments})
+@item
+an output section description
+@item
+an overlay description
+@end itemize
+
+The @code{ENTRY} command and symbol assignments are permitted inside the
+@code{SECTIONS} command for convenience in using the location counter in
+those commands.  This can also make the linker script easier to
+understand because you can use those commands at meaningful points in
+the layout of the output file.
+
+Output section descriptions and overlay descriptions are described
+below.
+
+If you do not use a @code{SECTIONS} command in your linker script, the
+linker will place each input section into an identically named output
+section in the order that the sections are first encountered in the
+input files.  If all input sections are present in the first file, for
+example, the order of sections in the output file will match the order
+in the first input file.  The first section will be at address zero.
+
+@menu
+* Output Section Description::	Output section description
+* Output Section Name::		Output section name
+* Output Section Address::	Output section address
+* Input Section::		Input section description
+* Output Section Data::		Output section data
+* Output Section Keywords::	Output section keywords
+* Output Section Discarding::	Output section discarding
+* Output Section Attributes::	Output section attributes
+* Overlay Description::		Overlay description
+@end menu
+
+@node Output Section Description
+@subsection Output Section Description
+The full description of an output section looks like this:
+@smallexample
+@group
+@var{section} [@var{address}] [(@var{type})] :
+  [AT(@var{lma})]
+  [ALIGN(@var{section_align}) | ALIGN_WITH_INPUT]
+  [SUBALIGN(@var{subsection_align})]
+  [@var{constraint}]
+  @{
+    @var{output-section-command}
+    @var{output-section-command}
+    @dots{}
+  @} [>@var{region}] [AT>@var{lma_region}] [:@var{phdr} :@var{phdr} @dots{}] [=@var{fillexp}] [,]
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+Most output sections do not use most of the optional section attributes.
+
+The whitespace around @var{section} is required, so that the section
+name is unambiguous.  The colon and the curly braces are also required.
+The comma at the end may be required if a @var{fillexp} is used and
+the next @var{sections-command} looks like a continuation of the expression.
+The line breaks and other white space are optional.
+
+Each @var{output-section-command} may be one of the following:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+a symbol assignment (@pxref{Assignments})
+@item
+an input section description (@pxref{Input Section})
+@item
+data values to include directly (@pxref{Output Section Data})
+@item
+a special output section keyword (@pxref{Output Section Keywords})
+@end itemize
+
+@node Output Section Name
+@subsection Output Section Name
+@cindex name, section
+@cindex section name
+The name of the output section is @var{section}.  @var{section} must
+meet the constraints of your output format.  In formats which only
+support a limited number of sections, such as @code{a.out}, the name
+must be one of the names supported by the format (@code{a.out}, for
+example, allows only @samp{.text}, @samp{.data} or @samp{.bss}). If the
+output format supports any number of sections, but with numbers and not
+names (as is the case for Oasys), the name should be supplied as a
+quoted numeric string.  A section name may consist of any sequence of
+characters, but a name which contains any unusual characters such as
+commas must be quoted.
+
+The output section name @samp{/DISCARD/} is special; @ref{Output Section
+Discarding}.
+
+@node Output Section Address
+@subsection Output Section Address
+@cindex address, section
+@cindex section address
+The @var{address} is an expression for the VMA (the virtual memory
+address) of the output section.  This address is optional, but if it
+is provided then the output address will be set exactly as specified.
+
+If the output address is not specified then one will be chosen for the
+section, based on the heuristic below.  This address will be adjusted
+to fit the alignment requirement of the output section.  The
+alignment requirement is the strictest alignment of any input section
+contained within the output section.
+
+The output section address heuristic is as follows:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+If an output memory @var{region} is set for the section then it
+is added to this region and its address will be the next free address
+in that region.
+
+@item
+If the MEMORY command has been used to create a list of memory
+regions then the first region which has attributes compatible with the
+section is selected to contain it.  The section's output address will
+be the next free address in that region; @ref{MEMORY}.
+
+@item
+If no memory regions were specified, or none match the section then
+the output address will be based on the current value of the location
+counter.
+@end itemize
+
+@noindent
+For example:
+
+@smallexample
+.text . : @{ *(.text) @}
+@end smallexample
+
+@noindent
+and
+
+@smallexample
+.text : @{ *(.text) @}
+@end smallexample
+
+@noindent
+are subtly different.  The first will set the address of the
+@samp{.text} output section to the current value of the location
+counter.  The second will set it to the current value of the location
+counter aligned to the strictest alignment of any of the @samp{.text}
+input sections.
+
+The @var{address} may be an arbitrary expression; @ref{Expressions}.
+For example, if you want to align the section on a 0x10 byte boundary,
+so that the lowest four bits of the section address are zero, you could
+do something like this:
+@smallexample
+.text ALIGN(0x10) : @{ *(.text) @}
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+This works because @code{ALIGN} returns the current location counter
+aligned upward to the specified value.
+
+Specifying @var{address} for a section will change the value of the
+location counter, provided that the section is non-empty.  (Empty
+sections are ignored).
+
+@node Input Section
+@subsection Input Section Description
+@cindex input sections
+@cindex mapping input sections to output sections
+The most common output section command is an input section description.
+
+The input section description is the most basic linker script operation.
+You use output sections to tell the linker how to lay out your program
+in memory.  You use input section descriptions to tell the linker how to
+map the input files into your memory layout.
+
+@menu
+* Input Section Basics::	Input section basics
+* Input Section Wildcards::	Input section wildcard patterns
+* Input Section Common::	Input section for common symbols
+* Input Section Keep::		Input section and garbage collection
+* Input Section Example::	Input section example
+@end menu
+
+@node Input Section Basics
+@subsubsection Input Section Basics
+@cindex input section basics
+An input section description consists of a file name optionally followed
+by a list of section names in parentheses.
+
+The file name and the section name may be wildcard patterns, which we
+describe further below (@pxref{Input Section Wildcards}).
+
+The most common input section description is to include all input
+sections with a particular name in the output section.  For example, to
+include all input @samp{.text} sections, you would write:
+@smallexample
+*(.text)
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+Here the @samp{*} is a wildcard which matches any file name.  To exclude a list
+@cindex EXCLUDE_FILE
+of files from matching the file name wildcard, EXCLUDE_FILE may be used to
+match all files except the ones specified in the EXCLUDE_FILE list.  For
+example:
+@smallexample
+EXCLUDE_FILE (*crtend.o *otherfile.o) *(.ctors)
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+will cause all .ctors sections from all files except @file{crtend.o}
+and @file{otherfile.o} to be included.  The EXCLUDE_FILE can also be
+placed inside the section list, for example:
+@smallexample
+*(EXCLUDE_FILE (*crtend.o *otherfile.o) .ctors)
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+The result of this is identically to the previous example.  Supporting
+two syntaxes for EXCLUDE_FILE is useful if the section list contains
+more than one section, as described below.
+
+There are two ways to include more than one section:
+@smallexample
+*(.text .rdata)
+*(.text) *(.rdata)
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+The difference between these is the order in which the @samp{.text} and
+@samp{.rdata} input sections will appear in the output section.  In the
+first example, they will be intermingled, appearing in the same order as
+they are found in the linker input.  In the second example, all
+@samp{.text} input sections will appear first, followed by all
+@samp{.rdata} input sections.
+
+When using EXCLUDE_FILE with more than one section, if the exclusion
+is within the section list then the exclusion only applies to the
+immediately following section, for example:
+@smallexample
+*(EXCLUDE_FILE (*somefile.o) .text .rdata)
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+will cause all @samp{.text} sections from all files except
+@file{somefile.o} to be included, while all @samp{.rdata} sections
+from all files, including @file{somefile.o}, will be included.  To
+exclude the @samp{.rdata} sections from @file{somefile.o} the example
+could be modified to:
+@smallexample
+*(EXCLUDE_FILE (*somefile.o) .text EXCLUDE_FILE (*somefile.o) .rdata)
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+Alternatively, placing the EXCLUDE_FILE outside of the section list,
+before the input file selection, will cause the exclusion to apply for
+all sections.  Thus the previous example can be rewritten as:
+@smallexample
+EXCLUDE_FILE (*somefile.o) *(.text .rdata)
+@end smallexample
+
+You can specify a file name to include sections from a particular file.
+You would do this if one or more of your files contain special data that
+needs to be at a particular location in memory.  For example:
+@smallexample
+data.o(.data)
+@end smallexample
+
+To refine the sections that are included based on the section flags
+of an input section, INPUT_SECTION_FLAGS may be used.
+
+Here is a simple example for using Section header flags for ELF sections:
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS @{
+  .text : @{ INPUT_SECTION_FLAGS (SHF_MERGE & SHF_STRINGS) *(.text) @}
+  .text2 :  @{ INPUT_SECTION_FLAGS (!SHF_WRITE) *(.text) @}
+@}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+In this example, the output section @samp{.text} will be comprised of any
+input section matching the name *(.text) whose section header flags
+@code{SHF_MERGE} and @code{SHF_STRINGS} are set.  The output section
+@samp{.text2} will be comprised of any input section matching the name *(.text)
+whose section header flag @code{SHF_WRITE} is clear.
+
+You can also specify files within archives by writing a pattern
+matching the archive, a colon, then the pattern matching the file,
+with no whitespace around the colon.
+
+@table @samp
+@item archive:file
+matches file within archive
+@item archive:
+matches the whole archive
+@item :file
+matches file but not one in an archive
+@end table
+
+Either one or both of @samp{archive} and @samp{file} can contain shell
+wildcards.  On DOS based file systems, the linker will assume that a
+single letter followed by a colon is a drive specifier, so
+@samp{c:myfile.o} is a simple file specification, not @samp{myfile.o}
+within an archive called @samp{c}.  @samp{archive:file} filespecs may
+also be used within an @code{EXCLUDE_FILE} list, but may not appear in
+other linker script contexts.  For instance, you cannot extract a file
+from an archive by using @samp{archive:file} in an @code{INPUT}
+command.
+
+If you use a file name without a list of sections, then all sections in
+the input file will be included in the output section.  This is not
+commonly done, but it may by useful on occasion.  For example:
+@smallexample
+data.o
+@end smallexample
+
+When you use a file name which is not an @samp{archive:file} specifier
+and does not contain any wild card
+characters, the linker will first see if you also specified the file
+name on the linker command line or in an @code{INPUT} command.  If you
+did not, the linker will attempt to open the file as an input file, as
+though it appeared on the command line.  Note that this differs from an
+@code{INPUT} command, because the linker will not search for the file in
+the archive search path.
+
+@node Input Section Wildcards
+@subsubsection Input Section Wildcard Patterns
+@cindex input section wildcards
+@cindex wildcard file name patterns
+@cindex file name wildcard patterns
+@cindex section name wildcard patterns
+In an input section description, either the file name or the section
+name or both may be wildcard patterns.
+
+The file name of @samp{*} seen in many examples is a simple wildcard
+pattern for the file name.
+
+The wildcard patterns are like those used by the Unix shell.
+
+@table @samp
+@item *
+matches any number of characters
+@item ?
+matches any single character
+@item [@var{chars}]
+matches a single instance of any of the @var{chars}; the @samp{-}
+character may be used to specify a range of characters, as in
+@samp{[a-z]} to match any lower case letter
+@item \
+quotes the following character
+@end table
+
+When a file name is matched with a wildcard, the wildcard characters
+will not match a @samp{/} character (used to separate directory names on
+Unix).  A pattern consisting of a single @samp{*} character is an
+exception; it will always match any file name, whether it contains a
+@samp{/} or not.  In a section name, the wildcard characters will match
+a @samp{/} character.
+
+File name wildcard patterns only match files which are explicitly
+specified on the command line or in an @code{INPUT} command.  The linker
+does not search directories to expand wildcards.
+
+If a file name matches more than one wildcard pattern, or if a file name
+appears explicitly and is also matched by a wildcard pattern, the linker
+will use the first match in the linker script.  For example, this
+sequence of input section descriptions is probably in error, because the
+@file{data.o} rule will not be used:
+@smallexample
+.data : @{ *(.data) @}
+.data1 : @{ data.o(.data) @}
+@end smallexample
+
+@cindex SORT_BY_NAME
+Normally, the linker will place files and sections matched by wildcards
+in the order in which they are seen during the link.  You can change
+this by using the @code{SORT_BY_NAME} keyword, which appears before a wildcard
+pattern in parentheses (e.g., @code{SORT_BY_NAME(.text*)}).  When the
+@code{SORT_BY_NAME} keyword is used, the linker will sort the files or sections
+into ascending order by name before placing them in the output file.
+
+@cindex SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT
+@code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} is very similar to @code{SORT_BY_NAME}. The
+difference is @code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} will sort sections into
+descending order by alignment before placing them in the output file.
+Larger alignments are placed before smaller alignments in order to
+reduce the amount of padding necessary.
+
+@cindex SORT_BY_INIT_PRIORITY
+@code{SORT_BY_INIT_PRIORITY} is very similar to @code{SORT_BY_NAME}. The
+difference is @code{SORT_BY_INIT_PRIORITY} will sort sections into
+ascending order by numerical value of the GCC init_priority attribute
+encoded in the section name before placing them in the output file.
+
+@cindex SORT
+@code{SORT} is an alias for @code{SORT_BY_NAME}.
+
+When there are nested section sorting commands in linker script, there
+can be at most 1 level of nesting for section sorting commands.
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+@code{SORT_BY_NAME} (@code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} (wildcard section pattern)).
+It will sort the input sections by name first, then by alignment if two
+sections have the same name.
+@item
+@code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} (@code{SORT_BY_NAME} (wildcard section pattern)).
+It will sort the input sections by alignment first, then by name if two
+sections have the same alignment.
+@item
+@code{SORT_BY_NAME} (@code{SORT_BY_NAME} (wildcard section pattern)) is
+treated the same as @code{SORT_BY_NAME} (wildcard section pattern).
+@item
+@code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} (@code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} (wildcard section pattern))
+is treated the same as @code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} (wildcard section pattern).
+@item
+All other nested section sorting commands are invalid.
+@end enumerate
+
+When both command line section sorting option and linker script
+section sorting command are used, section sorting command always
+takes precedence over the command line option.
+
+If the section sorting command in linker script isn't nested, the
+command line option will make the section sorting command to be
+treated as nested sorting command.
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+@code{SORT_BY_NAME} (wildcard section pattern ) with
+@option{--sort-sections alignment} is equivalent to
+@code{SORT_BY_NAME} (@code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} (wildcard section pattern)).
+@item
+@code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} (wildcard section pattern) with
+@option{--sort-section name} is equivalent to
+@code{SORT_BY_ALIGNMENT} (@code{SORT_BY_NAME} (wildcard section pattern)).
+@end enumerate
+
+If the section sorting command in linker script is nested, the
+command line option will be ignored.
+
+@cindex SORT_NONE
+@code{SORT_NONE} disables section sorting by ignoring the command line
+section sorting option.
+
+If you ever get confused about where input sections are going, use the
+@samp{-M} linker option to generate a map file.  The map file shows
+precisely how input sections are mapped to output sections.
+
+This example shows how wildcard patterns might be used to partition
+files.  This linker script directs the linker to place all @samp{.text}
+sections in @samp{.text} and all @samp{.bss} sections in @samp{.bss}.
+The linker will place the @samp{.data} section from all files beginning
+with an upper case character in @samp{.DATA}; for all other files, the
+linker will place the @samp{.data} section in @samp{.data}.
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS @{
+  .text : @{ *(.text) @}
+  .DATA : @{ [A-Z]*(.data) @}
+  .data : @{ *(.data) @}
+  .bss : @{ *(.bss) @}
+@}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@node Input Section Common
+@subsubsection Input Section for Common Symbols
+@cindex common symbol placement
+@cindex uninitialized data placement
+A special notation is needed for common symbols, because in many object
+file formats common symbols do not have a particular input section.  The
+linker treats common symbols as though they are in an input section
+named @samp{COMMON}.
+
+You may use file names with the @samp{COMMON} section just as with any
+other input sections.  You can use this to place common symbols from a
+particular input file in one section while common symbols from other
+input files are placed in another section.
+
+In most cases, common symbols in input files will be placed in the
+@samp{.bss} section in the output file.  For example:
+@smallexample
+.bss @{ *(.bss) *(COMMON) @}
+@end smallexample
+
+@cindex scommon section
+@cindex small common symbols
+Some object file formats have more than one type of common symbol.  For
+example, the MIPS ELF object file format distinguishes standard common
+symbols and small common symbols.  In this case, the linker will use a
+different special section name for other types of common symbols.  In
+the case of MIPS ELF, the linker uses @samp{COMMON} for standard common
+symbols and @samp{.scommon} for small common symbols.  This permits you
+to map the different types of common symbols into memory at different
+locations.
+
+@cindex [COMMON]
+You will sometimes see @samp{[COMMON]} in old linker scripts.  This
+notation is now considered obsolete.  It is equivalent to
+@samp{*(COMMON)}.
+
+@node Input Section Keep
+@subsubsection Input Section and Garbage Collection
+@cindex KEEP
+@cindex garbage collection
+When link-time garbage collection is in use (@samp{--gc-sections}),
+it is often useful to mark sections that should not be eliminated.
+This is accomplished by surrounding an input section's wildcard entry
+with @code{KEEP()}, as in @code{KEEP(*(.init))} or
+@code{KEEP(SORT_BY_NAME(*)(.ctors))}.
+
+@node Input Section Example
+@subsubsection Input Section Example
+The following example is a complete linker script.  It tells the linker
+to read all of the sections from file @file{all.o} and place them at the
+start of output section @samp{outputa} which starts at location
+@samp{0x10000}.  All of section @samp{.input1} from file @file{foo.o}
+follows immediately, in the same output section.  All of section
+@samp{.input2} from @file{foo.o} goes into output section
+@samp{outputb}, followed by section @samp{.input1} from @file{foo1.o}.
+All of the remaining @samp{.input1} and @samp{.input2} sections from any
+files are written to output section @samp{outputc}.
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS @{
+  outputa 0x10000 :
+    @{
+    all.o
+    foo.o (.input1)
+    @}
+@end group
+@group
+  outputb :
+    @{
+    foo.o (.input2)
+    foo1.o (.input1)
+    @}
+@end group
+@group
+  outputc :
+    @{
+    *(.input1)
+    *(.input2)
+    @}
+@}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+If an output section's name is the same as the input section's name
+and is representable as a C identifier, then the linker will
+automatically @pxref{PROVIDE} two symbols: __start_SECNAME and
+__stop_SECNAME, where SECNAME is the name of the section.  These
+indicate the start address and end address of the output section
+respectively.  Note: most section names are not representable as
+C identifiers because they contain a @samp{.} character.
+
+@node Output Section Data
+@subsection Output Section Data
+@cindex data
+@cindex section data
+@cindex output section data
+@kindex BYTE(@var{expression})
+@kindex SHORT(@var{expression})
+@kindex LONG(@var{expression})
+@kindex QUAD(@var{expression})
+@kindex SQUAD(@var{expression})
+You can include explicit bytes of data in an output section by using
+@code{BYTE}, @code{SHORT}, @code{LONG}, @code{QUAD}, or @code{SQUAD} as
+an output section command.  Each keyword is followed by an expression in
+parentheses providing the value to store (@pxref{Expressions}).  The
+value of the expression is stored at the current value of the location
+counter.
+
+The @code{BYTE}, @code{SHORT}, @code{LONG}, and @code{QUAD} commands
+store one, two, four, and eight bytes (respectively).  After storing the
+bytes, the location counter is incremented by the number of bytes
+stored.
+
+For example, this will store the byte 1 followed by the four byte value
+of the symbol @samp{addr}:
+@smallexample
+BYTE(1)
+LONG(addr)
+@end smallexample
+
+When using a 64 bit host or target, @code{QUAD} and @code{SQUAD} are the
+same; they both store an 8 byte, or 64 bit, value.  When both host and
+target are 32 bits, an expression is computed as 32 bits.  In this case
+@code{QUAD} stores a 32 bit value zero extended to 64 bits, and
+@code{SQUAD} stores a 32 bit value sign extended to 64 bits.
+
+If the object file format of the output file has an explicit endianness,
+which is the normal case, the value will be stored in that endianness.
+When the object file format does not have an explicit endianness, as is
+true of, for example, S-records, the value will be stored in the
+endianness of the first input object file.
+
+Note---these commands only work inside a section description and not
+between them, so the following will produce an error from the linker:
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS @{@ .text : @{@ *(.text) @}@ LONG(1) .data : @{@ *(.data) @}@ @}@
+@end smallexample
+whereas this will work:
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS @{@ .text : @{@ *(.text) ; LONG(1) @}@ .data : @{@ *(.data) @}@ @}@
+@end smallexample
+
+@kindex FILL(@var{expression})
+@cindex holes, filling
+@cindex unspecified memory
+You may use the @code{FILL} command to set the fill pattern for the
+current section.  It is followed by an expression in parentheses.  Any
+otherwise unspecified regions of memory within the section (for example,
+gaps left due to the required alignment of input sections) are filled
+with the value of the expression, repeated as
+necessary.  A @code{FILL} statement covers memory locations after the
+point at which it occurs in the section definition; by including more
+than one @code{FILL} statement, you can have different fill patterns in
+different parts of an output section.
+
+This example shows how to fill unspecified regions of memory with the
+value @samp{0x90}:
+@smallexample
+FILL(0x90909090)
+@end smallexample
+
+The @code{FILL} command is similar to the @samp{=@var{fillexp}} output
+section attribute, but it only affects the
+part of the section following the @code{FILL} command, rather than the
+entire section.  If both are used, the @code{FILL} command takes
+precedence.  @xref{Output Section Fill}, for details on the fill
+expression.
+
+@node Output Section Keywords
+@subsection Output Section Keywords
+There are a couple of keywords which can appear as output section
+commands.
+
+@table @code
+@kindex CREATE_OBJECT_SYMBOLS
+@cindex input filename symbols
+@cindex filename symbols
+@item CREATE_OBJECT_SYMBOLS
+The command tells the linker to create a symbol for each input file.
+The name of each symbol will be the name of the corresponding input
+file.  The section of each symbol will be the output section in which
+the @code{CREATE_OBJECT_SYMBOLS} command appears.
+
+This is conventional for the a.out object file format.  It is not
+normally used for any other object file format.
+
+@kindex CONSTRUCTORS
+@cindex C++ constructors, arranging in link
+@cindex constructors, arranging in link
+@item CONSTRUCTORS
+When linking using the a.out object file format, the linker uses an
+unusual set construct to support C++ global constructors and
+destructors.  When linking object file formats which do not support
+arbitrary sections, such as ECOFF and XCOFF, the linker will
+automatically recognize C++ global constructors and destructors by name.
+For these object file formats, the @code{CONSTRUCTORS} command tells the
+linker to place constructor information in the output section where the
+@code{CONSTRUCTORS} command appears.  The @code{CONSTRUCTORS} command is
+ignored for other object file formats.
+
+The symbol @w{@code{__CTOR_LIST__}} marks the start of the global
+constructors, and the symbol @w{@code{__CTOR_END__}} marks the end.
+Similarly, @w{@code{__DTOR_LIST__}} and @w{@code{__DTOR_END__}} mark
+the start and end of the global destructors.  The
+first word in the list is the number of entries, followed by the address
+of each constructor or destructor, followed by a zero word.  The
+compiler must arrange to actually run the code.  For these object file
+formats @sc{gnu} C++ normally calls constructors from a subroutine
+@code{__main}; a call to @code{__main} is automatically inserted into
+the startup code for @code{main}.  @sc{gnu} C++ normally runs
+destructors either by using @code{atexit}, or directly from the function
+@code{exit}.
+
+For object file formats such as @code{COFF} or @code{ELF} which support
+arbitrary section names, @sc{gnu} C++ will normally arrange to put the
+addresses of global constructors and destructors into the @code{.ctors}
+and @code{.dtors} sections.  Placing the following sequence into your
+linker script will build the sort of table which the @sc{gnu} C++
+runtime code expects to see.
+
+@smallexample
+      __CTOR_LIST__ = .;
+      LONG((__CTOR_END__ - __CTOR_LIST__) / 4 - 2)
+      *(.ctors)
+      LONG(0)
+      __CTOR_END__ = .;
+      __DTOR_LIST__ = .;
+      LONG((__DTOR_END__ - __DTOR_LIST__) / 4 - 2)
+      *(.dtors)
+      LONG(0)
+      __DTOR_END__ = .;
+@end smallexample
+
+If you are using the @sc{gnu} C++ support for initialization priority,
+which provides some control over the order in which global constructors
+are run, you must sort the constructors at link time to ensure that they
+are executed in the correct order.  When using the @code{CONSTRUCTORS}
+command, use @samp{SORT_BY_NAME(CONSTRUCTORS)} instead.  When using the
+@code{.ctors} and @code{.dtors} sections, use @samp{*(SORT_BY_NAME(.ctors))} and
+@samp{*(SORT_BY_NAME(.dtors))} instead of just @samp{*(.ctors)} and
+@samp{*(.dtors)}.
+
+Normally the compiler and linker will handle these issues automatically,
+and you will not need to concern yourself with them.  However, you may
+need to consider this if you are using C++ and writing your own linker
+scripts.
+
+@end table
+
+@node Output Section Discarding
+@subsection Output Section Discarding
+@cindex discarding sections
+@cindex sections, discarding
+@cindex removing sections
+The linker will not normally create output sections with no contents.
+This is for convenience when referring to input sections that may or
+may not be present in any of the input files.  For example:
+@smallexample
+.foo : @{ *(.foo) @}
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+will only create a @samp{.foo} section in the output file if there is a
+@samp{.foo} section in at least one input file, and if the input
+sections are not all empty.  Other link script directives that allocate
+space in an output section will also create the output section.  So
+too will assignments to dot even if the assignment does not create
+space, except for @samp{. = 0}, @samp{. = . + 0}, @samp{. = sym},
+@samp{. = . + sym} and @samp{. = ALIGN (. != 0, expr, 1)} when
+@samp{sym} is an absolute symbol of value 0 defined in the script.
+This allows you to force output of an empty section with @samp{. = .}.
+
+The linker will ignore address assignments (@pxref{Output Section Address})
+on discarded output sections, except when the linker script defines
+symbols in the output section.  In that case the linker will obey
+the address assignments, possibly advancing dot even though the
+section is discarded.
+
+@cindex /DISCARD/
+The special output section name @samp{/DISCARD/} may be used to discard
+input sections.  Any input sections which are assigned to an output
+section named @samp{/DISCARD/} are not included in the output file.
+
+@node Output Section Attributes
+@subsection Output Section Attributes
+@cindex output section attributes
+We showed above that the full description of an output section looked
+like this:
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+@var{section} [@var{address}] [(@var{type})] :
+  [AT(@var{lma})]
+  [ALIGN(@var{section_align})]
+  [SUBALIGN(@var{subsection_align})]
+  [@var{constraint}]
+  @{
+    @var{output-section-command}
+    @var{output-section-command}
+    @dots{}
+  @} [>@var{region}] [AT>@var{lma_region}] [:@var{phdr} :@var{phdr} @dots{}] [=@var{fillexp}]
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+We've already described @var{section}, @var{address}, and
+@var{output-section-command}.  In this section we will describe the
+remaining section attributes.
+
+@menu
+* Output Section Type::		Output section type
+* Output Section LMA::		Output section LMA
+* Forced Output Alignment::	Forced Output Alignment
+* Forced Input Alignment::	Forced Input Alignment
+* Output Section Constraint::   Output section constraint
+* Output Section Region::	Output section region
+* Output Section Phdr::		Output section phdr
+* Output Section Fill::		Output section fill
+@end menu
+
+@node Output Section Type
+@subsubsection Output Section Type
+Each output section may have a type.  The type is a keyword in
+parentheses.  The following types are defined:
+
+@table @code
+@item NOLOAD
+The section should be marked as not loadable, so that it will not be
+loaded into memory when the program is run.
+@item DSECT
+@itemx COPY
+@itemx INFO
+@itemx OVERLAY
+These type names are supported for backward compatibility, and are
+rarely used.  They all have the same effect: the section should be
+marked as not allocatable, so that no memory is allocated for the
+section when the program is run.
+@end table
+
+@kindex NOLOAD
+@cindex prevent unnecessary loading
+@cindex loading, preventing
+The linker normally sets the attributes of an output section based on
+the input sections which map into it.  You can override this by using
+the section type.  For example, in the script sample below, the
+@samp{ROM} section is addressed at memory location @samp{0} and does not
+need to be loaded when the program is run.
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS @{
+  ROM 0 (NOLOAD) : @{ @dots{} @}
+  @dots{}
+@}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@node Output Section LMA
+@subsubsection Output Section LMA
+@kindex AT>@var{lma_region}
+@kindex AT(@var{lma})
+@cindex load address
+@cindex section load address
+Every section has a virtual address (VMA) and a load address (LMA); see
+@ref{Basic Script Concepts}.  The virtual address is specified by the
+@pxref{Output Section Address} described earlier.  The load address is
+specified by the @code{AT} or @code{AT>} keywords.  Specifying a load
+address is optional.
+
+The @code{AT} keyword takes an expression as an argument.  This
+specifies the exact load address of the section.  The @code{AT>} keyword
+takes the name of a memory region as an argument.  @xref{MEMORY}.  The
+load address of the section is set to the next free address in the
+region, aligned to the section's alignment requirements.
+
+If neither @code{AT} nor @code{AT>} is specified for an allocatable
+section, the linker will use the following heuristic to determine the
+load address:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+If the section has a specific VMA address, then this is used as
+the LMA address as well.
+
+@item
+If the section is not allocatable then its LMA is set to its VMA.
+
+@item
+Otherwise if a memory region can be found that is compatible
+with the current section, and this region contains at least one
+section, then the LMA is set so the difference between the
+VMA and LMA is the same as the difference between the VMA and LMA of
+the last section in the located region.
+
+@item
+If no memory regions have been declared then a default region
+that covers the entire address space is used in the previous step.
+
+@item
+If no suitable region could be found, or there was no previous
+section then the LMA is set equal to the VMA.
+@end itemize
+
+@cindex ROM initialized data
+@cindex initialized data in ROM
+This feature is designed to make it easy to build a ROM image.  For
+example, the following linker script creates three output sections: one
+called @samp{.text}, which starts at @code{0x1000}, one called
+@samp{.mdata}, which is loaded at the end of the @samp{.text} section
+even though its VMA is @code{0x2000}, and one called @samp{.bss} to hold
+uninitialized data at address @code{0x3000}.  The symbol @code{_data} is
+defined with the value @code{0x2000}, which shows that the location
+counter holds the VMA value, not the LMA value.
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS
+  @{
+  .text 0x1000 : @{ *(.text) _etext = . ; @}
+  .mdata 0x2000 :
+    AT ( ADDR (.text) + SIZEOF (.text) )
+    @{ _data = . ; *(.data); _edata = . ;  @}
+  .bss 0x3000 :
+    @{ _bstart = . ;  *(.bss) *(COMMON) ; _bend = . ;@}
+@}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+The run-time initialization code for use with a program generated with
+this linker script would include something like the following, to copy
+the initialized data from the ROM image to its runtime address.  Notice
+how this code takes advantage of the symbols defined by the linker
+script.
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+extern char _etext, _data, _edata, _bstart, _bend;
+char *src = &_etext;
+char *dst = &_data;
+
+/* ROM has data at end of text; copy it.  */
+while (dst < &_edata)
+  *dst++ = *src++;
+
+/* Zero bss.  */
+for (dst = &_bstart; dst< &_bend; dst++)
+  *dst = 0;
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@node Forced Output Alignment
+@subsubsection Forced Output Alignment
+@kindex ALIGN(@var{section_align})
+@cindex forcing output section alignment
+@cindex output section alignment
+You can increase an output section's alignment by using ALIGN.  As an
+alternative you can enforce that the difference between the VMA and LMA remains
+intact throughout this output section with the ALIGN_WITH_INPUT attribute.
+
+@node Forced Input Alignment
+@subsubsection Forced Input Alignment
+@kindex SUBALIGN(@var{subsection_align})
+@cindex forcing input section alignment
+@cindex input section alignment
+You can force input section alignment within an output section by using
+SUBALIGN.  The value specified overrides any alignment given by input
+sections, whether larger or smaller.
+
+@node Output Section Constraint
+@subsubsection Output Section Constraint
+@kindex ONLY_IF_RO
+@kindex ONLY_IF_RW
+@cindex constraints on output sections
+You can specify that an output section should only be created if all
+of its input sections are read-only or all of its input sections are
+read-write by using the keyword @code{ONLY_IF_RO} and
+@code{ONLY_IF_RW} respectively.
+
+@node Output Section Region
+@subsubsection Output Section Region
+@kindex >@var{region}
+@cindex section, assigning to memory region
+@cindex memory regions and sections
+You can assign a section to a previously defined region of memory by
+using @samp{>@var{region}}.  @xref{MEMORY}.
+
+Here is a simple example:
+@smallexample
+@group
+MEMORY @{ rom : ORIGIN = 0x1000, LENGTH = 0x1000 @}
+SECTIONS @{ ROM : @{ *(.text) @} >rom @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@node Output Section Phdr
+@subsubsection Output Section Phdr
+@kindex :@var{phdr}
+@cindex section, assigning to program header
+@cindex program headers and sections
+You can assign a section to a previously defined program segment by
+using @samp{:@var{phdr}}.  @xref{PHDRS}.  If a section is assigned to
+one or more segments, then all subsequent allocated sections will be
+assigned to those segments as well, unless they use an explicitly
+@code{:@var{phdr}} modifier.  You can use @code{:NONE} to tell the
+linker to not put the section in any segment at all.
+
+Here is a simple example:
+@smallexample
+@group
+PHDRS @{ text PT_LOAD ; @}
+SECTIONS @{ .text : @{ *(.text) @} :text @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@node Output Section Fill
+@subsubsection Output Section Fill
+@kindex =@var{fillexp}
+@cindex section fill pattern
+@cindex fill pattern, entire section
+You can set the fill pattern for an entire section by using
+@samp{=@var{fillexp}}.  @var{fillexp} is an expression
+(@pxref{Expressions}).  Any otherwise unspecified regions of memory
+within the output section (for example, gaps left due to the required
+alignment of input sections) will be filled with the value, repeated as
+necessary.  If the fill expression is a simple hex number, ie. a string
+of hex digit starting with @samp{0x} and without a trailing @samp{k} or @samp{M}, then
+an arbitrarily long sequence of hex digits can be used to specify the
+fill pattern;  Leading zeros become part of the pattern too.  For all
+other cases, including extra parentheses or a unary @code{+}, the fill
+pattern is the four least significant bytes of the value of the
+expression.  In all cases, the number is big-endian.
+
+You can also change the fill value with a @code{FILL} command in the
+output section commands; (@pxref{Output Section Data}).
+
+Here is a simple example:
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS @{ .text : @{ *(.text) @} =0x90909090 @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@node Overlay Description
+@subsection Overlay Description
+@kindex OVERLAY
+@cindex overlays
+An overlay description provides an easy way to describe sections which
+are to be loaded as part of a single memory image but are to be run at
+the same memory address.  At run time, some sort of overlay manager will
+copy the overlaid sections in and out of the runtime memory address as
+required, perhaps by simply manipulating addressing bits.  This approach
+can be useful, for example, when a certain region of memory is faster
+than another.
+
+Overlays are described using the @code{OVERLAY} command.  The
+@code{OVERLAY} command is used within a @code{SECTIONS} command, like an
+output section description.  The full syntax of the @code{OVERLAY}
+command is as follows:
+@smallexample
+@group
+OVERLAY [@var{start}] : [NOCROSSREFS] [AT ( @var{ldaddr} )]
+  @{
+    @var{secname1}
+      @{
+        @var{output-section-command}
+        @var{output-section-command}
+        @dots{}
+      @} [:@var{phdr}@dots{}] [=@var{fill}]
+    @var{secname2}
+      @{
+        @var{output-section-command}
+        @var{output-section-command}
+        @dots{}
+      @} [:@var{phdr}@dots{}] [=@var{fill}]
+    @dots{}
+  @} [>@var{region}] [:@var{phdr}@dots{}] [=@var{fill}] [,]
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+Everything is optional except @code{OVERLAY} (a keyword), and each
+section must have a name (@var{secname1} and @var{secname2} above).  The
+section definitions within the @code{OVERLAY} construct are identical to
+those within the general @code{SECTIONS} construct (@pxref{SECTIONS}),
+except that no addresses and no memory regions may be defined for
+sections within an @code{OVERLAY}.
+
+The comma at the end may be required if a @var{fill} is used and
+the next @var{sections-command} looks like a continuation of the expression.
+
+The sections are all defined with the same starting address.  The load
+addresses of the sections are arranged such that they are consecutive in
+memory starting at the load address used for the @code{OVERLAY} as a
+whole (as with normal section definitions, the load address is optional,
+and defaults to the start address; the start address is also optional,
+and defaults to the current value of the location counter).
+
+If the @code{NOCROSSREFS} keyword is used, and there are any
+references among the sections, the linker will report an error.  Since
+the sections all run at the same address, it normally does not make
+sense for one section to refer directly to another.
+@xref{Miscellaneous Commands, NOCROSSREFS}.
+
+For each section within the @code{OVERLAY}, the linker automatically
+provides two symbols.  The symbol @code{__load_start_@var{secname}} is
+defined as the starting load address of the section.  The symbol
+@code{__load_stop_@var{secname}} is defined as the final load address of
+the section.  Any characters within @var{secname} which are not legal
+within C identifiers are removed.  C (or assembler) code may use these
+symbols to move the overlaid sections around as necessary.
+
+At the end of the overlay, the value of the location counter is set to
+the start address of the overlay plus the size of the largest section.
+
+Here is an example.  Remember that this would appear inside a
+@code{SECTIONS} construct.
+@smallexample
+@group
+  OVERLAY 0x1000 : AT (0x4000)
+   @{
+     .text0 @{ o1/*.o(.text) @}
+     .text1 @{ o2/*.o(.text) @}
+   @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+This will define both @samp{.text0} and @samp{.text1} to start at
+address 0x1000.  @samp{.text0} will be loaded at address 0x4000, and
+@samp{.text1} will be loaded immediately after @samp{.text0}.  The
+following symbols will be defined if referenced: @code{__load_start_text0},
+@code{__load_stop_text0}, @code{__load_start_text1},
+@code{__load_stop_text1}.
+
+C code to copy overlay @code{.text1} into the overlay area might look
+like the following.
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+  extern char __load_start_text1, __load_stop_text1;
+  memcpy ((char *) 0x1000, &__load_start_text1,
+          &__load_stop_text1 - &__load_start_text1);
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+Note that the @code{OVERLAY} command is just syntactic sugar, since
+everything it does can be done using the more basic commands.  The above
+example could have been written identically as follows.
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+  .text0 0x1000 : AT (0x4000) @{ o1/*.o(.text) @}
+  PROVIDE (__load_start_text0 = LOADADDR (.text0));
+  PROVIDE (__load_stop_text0 = LOADADDR (.text0) + SIZEOF (.text0));
+  .text1 0x1000 : AT (0x4000 + SIZEOF (.text0)) @{ o2/*.o(.text) @}
+  PROVIDE (__load_start_text1 = LOADADDR (.text1));
+  PROVIDE (__load_stop_text1 = LOADADDR (.text1) + SIZEOF (.text1));
+  . = 0x1000 + MAX (SIZEOF (.text0), SIZEOF (.text1));
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@node MEMORY
+@section MEMORY Command
+@kindex MEMORY
+@cindex memory regions
+@cindex regions of memory
+@cindex allocating memory
+@cindex discontinuous memory
+The linker's default configuration permits allocation of all available
+memory.  You can override this by using the @code{MEMORY} command.
+
+The @code{MEMORY} command describes the location and size of blocks of
+memory in the target.  You can use it to describe which memory regions
+may be used by the linker, and which memory regions it must avoid.  You
+can then assign sections to particular memory regions.  The linker will
+set section addresses based on the memory regions, and will warn about
+regions that become too full.  The linker will not shuffle sections
+around to fit into the available regions.
+
+A linker script may contain many uses of the @code{MEMORY} command,
+however, all memory blocks defined are treated as if they were
+specified inside a single @code{MEMORY} command.  The syntax for
+@code{MEMORY} is:
+@smallexample
+@group
+MEMORY
+  @{
+    @var{name} [(@var{attr})] : ORIGIN = @var{origin}, LENGTH = @var{len}
+    @dots{}
+  @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+The @var{name} is a name used in the linker script to refer to the
+region.  The region name has no meaning outside of the linker script.
+Region names are stored in a separate name space, and will not conflict
+with symbol names, file names, or section names.  Each memory region
+must have a distinct name within the @code{MEMORY} command.  However you can
+add later alias names to existing memory regions with the @ref{REGION_ALIAS}
+command.
+
+@cindex memory region attributes
+The @var{attr} string is an optional list of attributes that specify
+whether to use a particular memory region for an input section which is
+not explicitly mapped in the linker script.  As described in
+@ref{SECTIONS}, if you do not specify an output section for some input
+section, the linker will create an output section with the same name as
+the input section.  If you define region attributes, the linker will use
+them to select the memory region for the output section that it creates.
+
+The @var{attr} string must consist only of the following characters:
+@table @samp
+@item R
+Read-only section
+@item W
+Read/write section
+@item X
+Executable section
+@item A
+Allocatable section
+@item I
+Initialized section
+@item L
+Same as @samp{I}
+@item !
+Invert the sense of any of the attributes that follow
+@end table
+
+If a unmapped section matches any of the listed attributes other than
+@samp{!}, it will be placed in the memory region.  The @samp{!}
+attribute reverses this test, so that an unmapped section will be placed
+in the memory region only if it does not match any of the listed
+attributes.
+
+@kindex ORIGIN =
+@kindex o =
+@kindex org =
+The @var{origin} is an numerical expression for the start address of
+the memory region.  The expression must evaluate to a constant and it
+cannot involve any symbols.  The keyword @code{ORIGIN} may be
+abbreviated to @code{org} or @code{o} (but not, for example,
+@code{ORG}).
+
+@kindex LENGTH =
+@kindex len =
+@kindex l =
+The @var{len} is an expression for the size in bytes of the memory
+region.  As with the @var{origin} expression, the expression must
+be numerical only and must evaluate to a constant.  The keyword
+@code{LENGTH} may be abbreviated to @code{len} or @code{l}.
+
+In the following example, we specify that there are two memory regions
+available for allocation: one starting at @samp{0} for 256 kilobytes,
+and the other starting at @samp{0x40000000} for four megabytes.  The
+linker will place into the @samp{rom} memory region every section which
+is not explicitly mapped into a memory region, and is either read-only
+or executable.  The linker will place other sections which are not
+explicitly mapped into a memory region into the @samp{ram} memory
+region.
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+MEMORY
+  @{
+    rom (rx)  : ORIGIN = 0, LENGTH = 256K
+    ram (!rx) : org = 0x40000000, l = 4M
+  @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+Once you define a memory region, you can direct the linker to place
+specific output sections into that memory region by using the
+@samp{>@var{region}} output section attribute.  For example, if you have
+a memory region named @samp{mem}, you would use @samp{>mem} in the
+output section definition.  @xref{Output Section Region}.  If no address
+was specified for the output section, the linker will set the address to
+the next available address within the memory region.  If the combined
+output sections directed to a memory region are too large for the
+region, the linker will issue an error message.
+
+It is possible to access the origin and length of a memory in an
+expression via the @code{ORIGIN(@var{memory})} and
+@code{LENGTH(@var{memory})} functions:
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+  _fstack = ORIGIN(ram) + LENGTH(ram) - 4;
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@node PHDRS
+@section PHDRS Command
+@kindex PHDRS
+@cindex program headers
+@cindex ELF program headers
+@cindex program segments
+@cindex segments, ELF
+The ELF object file format uses @dfn{program headers}, also knows as
+@dfn{segments}.  The program headers describe how the program should be
+loaded into memory.  You can print them out by using the @code{objdump}
+program with the @samp{-p} option.
+
+When you run an ELF program on a native ELF system, the system loader
+reads the program headers in order to figure out how to load the
+program.  This will only work if the program headers are set correctly.
+This manual does not describe the details of how the system loader
+interprets program headers; for more information, see the ELF ABI.
+
+The linker will create reasonable program headers by default.  However,
+in some cases, you may need to specify the program headers more
+precisely.  You may use the @code{PHDRS} command for this purpose.  When
+the linker sees the @code{PHDRS} command in the linker script, it will
+not create any program headers other than the ones specified.
+
+The linker only pays attention to the @code{PHDRS} command when
+generating an ELF output file.  In other cases, the linker will simply
+ignore @code{PHDRS}.
+
+This is the syntax of the @code{PHDRS} command.  The words @code{PHDRS},
+@code{FILEHDR}, @code{AT}, and @code{FLAGS} are keywords.
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+PHDRS
+@{
+  @var{name} @var{type} [ FILEHDR ] [ PHDRS ] [ AT ( @var{address} ) ]
+        [ FLAGS ( @var{flags} ) ] ;
+@}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+The @var{name} is used only for reference in the @code{SECTIONS} command
+of the linker script.  It is not put into the output file.  Program
+header names are stored in a separate name space, and will not conflict
+with symbol names, file names, or section names.  Each program header
+must have a distinct name.  The headers are processed in order and it
+is usual for them to map to sections in ascending load address order.
+
+Certain program header types describe segments of memory which the
+system loader will load from the file.  In the linker script, you
+specify the contents of these segments by placing allocatable output
+sections in the segments.  You use the @samp{:@var{phdr}} output section
+attribute to place a section in a particular segment.  @xref{Output
+Section Phdr}.
+
+It is normal to put certain sections in more than one segment.  This
+merely implies that one segment of memory contains another.  You may
+repeat @samp{:@var{phdr}}, using it once for each segment which should
+contain the section.
+
+If you place a section in one or more segments using @samp{:@var{phdr}},
+then the linker will place all subsequent allocatable sections which do
+not specify @samp{:@var{phdr}} in the same segments.  This is for
+convenience, since generally a whole set of contiguous sections will be
+placed in a single segment.  You can use @code{:NONE} to override the
+default segment and tell the linker to not put the section in any
+segment at all.
+
+@kindex FILEHDR
+@kindex PHDRS
+You may use the @code{FILEHDR} and @code{PHDRS} keywords after
+the program header type to further describe the contents of the segment.
+The @code{FILEHDR} keyword means that the segment should include the ELF
+file header.  The @code{PHDRS} keyword means that the segment should
+include the ELF program headers themselves.  If applied to a loadable
+segment (@code{PT_LOAD}), all prior loadable segments must have one of
+these keywords.
+
+The @var{type} may be one of the following.  The numbers indicate the
+value of the keyword.
+
+@table @asis
+@item @code{PT_NULL} (0)
+Indicates an unused program header.
+
+@item @code{PT_LOAD} (1)
+Indicates that this program header describes a segment to be loaded from
+the file.
+
+@item @code{PT_DYNAMIC} (2)
+Indicates a segment where dynamic linking information can be found.
+
+@item @code{PT_INTERP} (3)
+Indicates a segment where the name of the program interpreter may be
+found.
+
+@item @code{PT_NOTE} (4)
+Indicates a segment holding note information.
+
+@item @code{PT_SHLIB} (5)
+A reserved program header type, defined but not specified by the ELF
+ABI.
+
+@item @code{PT_PHDR} (6)
+Indicates a segment where the program headers may be found.
+
+@item @code{PT_TLS} (7)
+Indicates a segment containing thread local storage.
+
+@item @var{expression}
+An expression giving the numeric type of the program header.  This may
+be used for types not defined above.
+@end table
+
+You can specify that a segment should be loaded at a particular address
+in memory by using an @code{AT} expression.  This is identical to the
+@code{AT} command used as an output section attribute (@pxref{Output
+Section LMA}).  The @code{AT} command for a program header overrides the
+output section attribute.
+
+The linker will normally set the segment flags based on the sections
+which comprise the segment.  You may use the @code{FLAGS} keyword to
+explicitly specify the segment flags.  The value of @var{flags} must be
+an integer.  It is used to set the @code{p_flags} field of the program
+header.
+
+Here is an example of @code{PHDRS}.  This shows a typical set of program
+headers used on a native ELF system.
+
+@example
+@group
+PHDRS
+@{
+  headers PT_PHDR PHDRS ;
+  interp PT_INTERP ;
+  text PT_LOAD FILEHDR PHDRS ;
+  data PT_LOAD ;
+  dynamic PT_DYNAMIC ;
+@}
+
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  . = SIZEOF_HEADERS;
+  .interp : @{ *(.interp) @} :text :interp
+  .text : @{ *(.text) @} :text
+  .rodata : @{ *(.rodata) @} /* defaults to :text */
+  @dots{}
+  . = . + 0x1000; /* move to a new page in memory */
+  .data : @{ *(.data) @} :data
+  .dynamic : @{ *(.dynamic) @} :data :dynamic
+  @dots{}
+@}
+@end group
+@end example
+
+@node VERSION
+@section VERSION Command
+@kindex VERSION @{script text@}
+@cindex symbol versions
+@cindex version script
+@cindex versions of symbols
+The linker supports symbol versions when using ELF.  Symbol versions are
+only useful when using shared libraries.  The dynamic linker can use
+symbol versions to select a specific version of a function when it runs
+a program that may have been linked against an earlier version of the
+shared library.
+
+You can include a version script directly in the main linker script, or
+you can supply the version script as an implicit linker script.  You can
+also use the @samp{--version-script} linker option.
+
+The syntax of the @code{VERSION} command is simply
+@smallexample
+VERSION @{ version-script-commands @}
+@end smallexample
+
+The format of the version script commands is identical to that used by
+Sun's linker in Solaris 2.5.  The version script defines a tree of
+version nodes.  You specify the node names and interdependencies in the
+version script.  You can specify which symbols are bound to which
+version nodes, and you can reduce a specified set of symbols to local
+scope so that they are not globally visible outside of the shared
+library.
+
+The easiest way to demonstrate the version script language is with a few
+examples.
+
+@smallexample
+VERS_1.1 @{
+	 global:
+		 foo1;
+	 local:
+		 old*;
+		 original*;
+		 new*;
+@};
+
+VERS_1.2 @{
+		 foo2;
+@} VERS_1.1;
+
+VERS_2.0 @{
+		 bar1; bar2;
+	 extern "C++" @{
+		 ns::*;
+		 "f(int, double)";
+	 @};
+@} VERS_1.2;
+@end smallexample
+
+This example version script defines three version nodes.  The first
+version node defined is @samp{VERS_1.1}; it has no other dependencies.
+The script binds the symbol @samp{foo1} to @samp{VERS_1.1}.  It reduces
+a number of symbols to local scope so that they are not visible outside
+of the shared library; this is done using wildcard patterns, so that any
+symbol whose name begins with @samp{old}, @samp{original}, or @samp{new}
+is matched.  The wildcard patterns available are the same as those used
+in the shell when matching filenames (also known as ``globbing'').
+However, if you specify the symbol name inside double quotes, then the
+name is treated as literal, rather than as a glob pattern.
+
+Next, the version script defines node @samp{VERS_1.2}.  This node
+depends upon @samp{VERS_1.1}.  The script binds the symbol @samp{foo2}
+to the version node @samp{VERS_1.2}.
+
+Finally, the version script defines node @samp{VERS_2.0}.  This node
+depends upon @samp{VERS_1.2}.  The scripts binds the symbols @samp{bar1}
+and @samp{bar2} are bound to the version node @samp{VERS_2.0}.
+
+When the linker finds a symbol defined in a library which is not
+specifically bound to a version node, it will effectively bind it to an
+unspecified base version of the library.  You can bind all otherwise
+unspecified symbols to a given version node by using @samp{global: *;}
+somewhere in the version script.  Note that it's slightly crazy to use
+wildcards in a global spec except on the last version node.  Global
+wildcards elsewhere run the risk of accidentally adding symbols to the
+set exported for an old version.  That's wrong since older versions
+ought to have a fixed set of symbols.
+
+The names of the version nodes have no specific meaning other than what
+they might suggest to the person reading them.  The @samp{2.0} version
+could just as well have appeared in between @samp{1.1} and @samp{1.2}.
+However, this would be a confusing way to write a version script.
+
+Node name can be omitted, provided it is the only version node
+in the version script.  Such version script doesn't assign any versions to
+symbols, only selects which symbols will be globally visible out and which
+won't.
+
+@smallexample
+@{ global: foo; bar; local: *; @};
+@end smallexample
+
+When you link an application against a shared library that has versioned
+symbols, the application itself knows which version of each symbol it
+requires, and it also knows which version nodes it needs from each
+shared library it is linked against.  Thus at runtime, the dynamic
+loader can make a quick check to make sure that the libraries you have
+linked against do in fact supply all of the version nodes that the
+application will need to resolve all of the dynamic symbols.  In this
+way it is possible for the dynamic linker to know with certainty that
+all external symbols that it needs will be resolvable without having to
+search for each symbol reference.
+
+The symbol versioning is in effect a much more sophisticated way of
+doing minor version checking that SunOS does.  The fundamental problem
+that is being addressed here is that typically references to external
+functions are bound on an as-needed basis, and are not all bound when
+the application starts up.  If a shared library is out of date, a
+required interface may be missing; when the application tries to use
+that interface, it may suddenly and unexpectedly fail.  With symbol
+versioning, the user will get a warning when they start their program if
+the libraries being used with the application are too old.
+
+There are several GNU extensions to Sun's versioning approach.  The
+first of these is the ability to bind a symbol to a version node in the
+source file where the symbol is defined instead of in the versioning
+script.  This was done mainly to reduce the burden on the library
+maintainer.  You can do this by putting something like:
+@smallexample
+__asm__(".symver original_foo,foo@@VERS_1.1");
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+in the C source file.  This renames the function @samp{original_foo} to
+be an alias for @samp{foo} bound to the version node @samp{VERS_1.1}.
+The @samp{local:} directive can be used to prevent the symbol
+@samp{original_foo} from being exported. A @samp{.symver} directive
+takes precedence over a version script.
+
+The second GNU extension is to allow multiple versions of the same
+function to appear in a given shared library.  In this way you can make
+an incompatible change to an interface without increasing the major
+version number of the shared library, while still allowing applications
+linked against the old interface to continue to function.
+
+To do this, you must use multiple @samp{.symver} directives in the
+source file.  Here is an example:
+
+@smallexample
+__asm__(".symver original_foo,foo@@");
+__asm__(".symver old_foo,foo@@VERS_1.1");
+__asm__(".symver old_foo1,foo@@VERS_1.2");
+__asm__(".symver new_foo,foo@@@@VERS_2.0");
+@end smallexample
+
+In this example, @samp{foo@@} represents the symbol @samp{foo} bound to the
+unspecified base version of the symbol.  The source file that contains this
+example would define 4 C functions: @samp{original_foo}, @samp{old_foo},
+@samp{old_foo1}, and @samp{new_foo}.
+
+When you have multiple definitions of a given symbol, there needs to be
+some way to specify a default version to which external references to
+this symbol will be bound.  You can do this with the
+@samp{foo@@@@VERS_2.0} type of @samp{.symver} directive.  You can only
+declare one version of a symbol as the default in this manner; otherwise
+you would effectively have multiple definitions of the same symbol.
+
+If you wish to bind a reference to a specific version of the symbol
+within the shared library, you can use the aliases of convenience
+(i.e., @samp{old_foo}), or you can use the @samp{.symver} directive to
+specifically bind to an external version of the function in question.
+
+You can also specify the language in the version script:
+
+@smallexample
+VERSION extern "lang" @{ version-script-commands @}
+@end smallexample
+
+The supported @samp{lang}s are @samp{C}, @samp{C++}, and @samp{Java}.
+The linker will iterate over the list of symbols at the link time and
+demangle them according to @samp{lang} before matching them to the
+patterns specified in @samp{version-script-commands}.  The default
+@samp{lang} is @samp{C}.
+
+Demangled names may contains spaces and other special characters.  As
+described above, you can use a glob pattern to match demangled names,
+or you can use a double-quoted string to match the string exactly.  In
+the latter case, be aware that minor differences (such as differing
+whitespace) between the version script and the demangler output will
+cause a mismatch.  As the exact string generated by the demangler
+might change in the future, even if the mangled name does not, you
+should check that all of your version directives are behaving as you
+expect when you upgrade.
+
+@node Expressions
+@section Expressions in Linker Scripts
+@cindex expressions
+@cindex arithmetic
+The syntax for expressions in the linker script language is identical to
+that of C expressions.  All expressions are evaluated as integers.  All
+expressions are evaluated in the same size, which is 32 bits if both the
+host and target are 32 bits, and is otherwise 64 bits.
+
+You can use and set symbol values in expressions.
+
+The linker defines several special purpose builtin functions for use in
+expressions.
+
+@menu
+* Constants::			Constants
+* Symbolic Constants::          Symbolic constants
+* Symbols::			Symbol Names
+* Orphan Sections::		Orphan Sections
+* Location Counter::		The Location Counter
+* Operators::			Operators
+* Evaluation::			Evaluation
+* Expression Section::		The Section of an Expression
+* Builtin Functions::		Builtin Functions
+@end menu
+
+@node Constants
+@subsection Constants
+@cindex integer notation
+@cindex constants in linker scripts
+All constants are integers.
+
+As in C, the linker considers an integer beginning with @samp{0} to be
+octal, and an integer beginning with @samp{0x} or @samp{0X} to be
+hexadecimal.  Alternatively the linker accepts suffixes of @samp{h} or
+@samp{H} for hexadecimal, @samp{o} or @samp{O} for octal, @samp{b} or
+@samp{B} for binary and @samp{d} or @samp{D} for decimal.  Any integer
+value without a prefix or a suffix is considered to be decimal.
+
+@cindex scaled integers
+@cindex K and M integer suffixes
+@cindex M and K integer suffixes
+@cindex suffixes for integers
+@cindex integer suffixes
+In addition, you can use the suffixes @code{K} and @code{M} to scale a
+constant by
+@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
+@ifnottex
+@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
+@code{1024} or @code{1024*1024}
+@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
+@end ifnottex
+@tex
+${\rm 1024}$ or ${\rm 1024}^2$
+@end tex
+@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
+respectively.  For example, the following
+all refer to the same quantity:
+
+@smallexample
+_fourk_1 = 4K;
+_fourk_2 = 4096;
+_fourk_3 = 0x1000;
+_fourk_4 = 10000o;
+@end smallexample
+
+Note - the @code{K} and @code{M} suffixes cannot be used in
+conjunction with the base suffixes mentioned above.
+
+@node Symbolic Constants
+@subsection Symbolic Constants
+@cindex symbolic constants
+@kindex CONSTANT
+It is possible to refer to target specific constants via the use of
+the @code{CONSTANT(@var{name})} operator, where @var{name} is one of:
+
+@table @code
+@item MAXPAGESIZE
+@kindex MAXPAGESIZE
+The target's maximum page size.
+
+@item COMMONPAGESIZE
+@kindex COMMONPAGESIZE
+The target's default page size.
+@end table
+
+So for example:
+
+@smallexample
+  .text ALIGN (CONSTANT (MAXPAGESIZE)) : @{ *(.text) @}
+@end smallexample
+
+will create a text section aligned to the largest page boundary
+supported by the target.
+
+@node Symbols
+@subsection Symbol Names
+@cindex symbol names
+@cindex names
+@cindex quoted symbol names
+@kindex "
+Unless quoted, symbol names start with a letter, underscore, or period
+and may include letters, digits, underscores, periods, and hyphens.
+Unquoted symbol names must not conflict with any keywords.  You can
+specify a symbol which contains odd characters or has the same name as a
+keyword by surrounding the symbol name in double quotes:
+@smallexample
+"SECTION" = 9;
+"with a space" = "also with a space" + 10;
+@end smallexample
+
+Since symbols can contain many non-alphabetic characters, it is safest
+to delimit symbols with spaces.  For example, @samp{A-B} is one symbol,
+whereas @samp{A - B} is an expression involving subtraction.
+
+@node Orphan Sections
+@subsection Orphan Sections
+@cindex orphan
+Orphan sections are sections present in the input files which
+are not explicitly placed into the output file by the linker
+script.  The linker will still copy these sections into the
+output file by either finding, or creating a suitable output section
+in which to place the orphaned input section.
+
+If the name of an orphaned input section exactly matches the name of
+an existing output section, then the orphaned input section will be
+placed at the end of that output section.
+
+If there is no output section with a matching name then new output
+sections will be created.  Each new output section will have the same
+name as the orphan section placed within it.  If there are multiple
+orphan sections with the same name, these will all be combined into
+one new output section.
+
+If new output sections are created to hold orphaned input sections,
+then the linker must decide where to place these new output sections
+in relation to existing output sections.  On most modern targets, the
+linker attempts to place orphan sections after sections of the same
+attribute, such as code vs data, loadable vs non-loadable, etc.  If no
+sections with matching attributes are found, or your target lacks this
+support, the orphan section is placed at the end of the file.
+
+The command line options @samp{--orphan-handling} and @samp{--unique}
+(@pxref{Options,,Command Line Options}) can be used to control which
+output sections an orphan is placed in.
+
+@node Location Counter
+@subsection The Location Counter
+@kindex .
+@cindex dot
+@cindex location counter
+@cindex current output location
+The special linker variable @dfn{dot} @samp{.} always contains the
+current output location counter.  Since the @code{.} always refers to a
+location in an output section, it may only appear in an expression
+within a @code{SECTIONS} command.  The @code{.} symbol may appear
+anywhere that an ordinary symbol is allowed in an expression.
+
+@cindex holes
+Assigning a value to @code{.} will cause the location counter to be
+moved.  This may be used to create holes in the output section.  The
+location counter may not be moved backwards inside an output section,
+and may not be moved backwards outside of an output section if so
+doing creates areas with overlapping LMAs.
+
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  output :
+    @{
+      file1(.text)
+      . = . + 1000;
+      file2(.text)
+      . += 1000;
+      file3(.text)
+    @} = 0x12345678;
+@}
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+In the previous example, the @samp{.text} section from @file{file1} is
+located at the beginning of the output section @samp{output}.  It is
+followed by a 1000 byte gap.  Then the @samp{.text} section from
+@file{file2} appears, also with a 1000 byte gap following before the
+@samp{.text} section from @file{file3}.  The notation @samp{= 0x12345678}
+specifies what data to write in the gaps (@pxref{Output Section Fill}).
+
+@cindex dot inside sections
+Note: @code{.} actually refers to the byte offset from the start of the
+current containing object.  Normally this is the @code{SECTIONS}
+statement, whose start address is 0, hence @code{.} can be used as an
+absolute address.  If @code{.} is used inside a section description
+however, it refers to the byte offset from the start of that section,
+not an absolute address.  Thus in a script like this:
+
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+    . = 0x100
+    .text: @{
+      *(.text)
+      . = 0x200
+    @}
+    . = 0x500
+    .data: @{
+      *(.data)
+      . += 0x600
+    @}
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+The @samp{.text} section will be assigned a starting address of 0x100
+and a size of exactly 0x200 bytes, even if there is not enough data in
+the @samp{.text} input sections to fill this area.  (If there is too
+much data, an error will be produced because this would be an attempt to
+move @code{.} backwards).  The @samp{.data} section will start at 0x500
+and it will have an extra 0x600 bytes worth of space after the end of
+the values from the @samp{.data} input sections and before the end of
+the @samp{.data} output section itself.
+
+@cindex dot outside sections
+Setting symbols to the value of the location counter outside of an
+output section statement can result in unexpected values if the linker
+needs to place orphan sections.  For example, given the following:
+
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+    start_of_text = . ;
+    .text: @{ *(.text) @}
+    end_of_text = . ;
+
+    start_of_data = . ;
+    .data: @{ *(.data) @}
+    end_of_data = . ;
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+If the linker needs to place some input section, e.g. @code{.rodata},
+not mentioned in the script, it might choose to place that section
+between @code{.text} and @code{.data}.  You might think the linker
+should place @code{.rodata} on the blank line in the above script, but
+blank lines are of no particular significance to the linker.  As well,
+the linker doesn't associate the above symbol names with their
+sections.  Instead, it assumes that all assignments or other
+statements belong to the previous output section, except for the
+special case of an assignment to @code{.}.  I.e., the linker will
+place the orphan @code{.rodata} section as if the script was written
+as follows:
+
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+    start_of_text = . ;
+    .text: @{ *(.text) @}
+    end_of_text = . ;
+
+    start_of_data = . ;
+    .rodata: @{ *(.rodata) @}
+    .data: @{ *(.data) @}
+    end_of_data = . ;
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+This may or may not be the script author's intention for the value of
+@code{start_of_data}.  One way to influence the orphan section
+placement is to assign the location counter to itself, as the linker
+assumes that an assignment to @code{.} is setting the start address of
+a following output section and thus should be grouped with that
+section.  So you could write:
+
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+    start_of_text = . ;
+    .text: @{ *(.text) @}
+    end_of_text = . ;
+
+    . = . ;
+    start_of_data = . ;
+    .data: @{ *(.data) @}
+    end_of_data = . ;
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+Now, the orphan @code{.rodata} section will be placed between
+@code{end_of_text} and @code{start_of_data}.
+
+@need 2000
+@node Operators
+@subsection Operators
+@cindex operators for arithmetic
+@cindex arithmetic operators
+@cindex precedence in expressions
+The linker recognizes the standard C set of arithmetic operators, with
+the standard bindings and precedence levels:
+@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
+@ifnottex
+@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
+@smallexample
+precedence      associativity   Operators                Notes
+(highest)
+1               left            !  -  ~                  (1)
+2               left            *  /  %
+3               left            +  -
+4               left            >>  <<
+5               left            ==  !=  >  <  <=  >=
+6               left            &
+7               left            |
+8               left            &&
+9               left            ||
+10              right           ? :
+11              right           &=  +=  -=  *=  /=       (2)
+(lowest)
+@end smallexample
+Notes:
+(1) Prefix operators
+(2) @xref{Assignments}.
+@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
+@end ifnottex
+@tex
+\vskip \baselineskip
+%"lispnarrowing" is the extra indent used generally for smallexample
+\hskip\lispnarrowing\vbox{\offinterlineskip
+\hrule
+\halign
+{\vrule#&\strut\hfil\ #\ \hfil&\vrule#&\strut\hfil\ #\ \hfil&\vrule#&\strut\hfil\ {\tt #}\ \hfil&\vrule#\cr
+height2pt&\omit&&\omit&&\omit&\cr
+&Precedence&&  Associativity  &&{\rm Operators}&\cr
+height2pt&\omit&&\omit&&\omit&\cr
+\noalign{\hrule}
+height2pt&\omit&&\omit&&\omit&\cr
+&highest&&&&&\cr
+% '176 is tilde, '~' in tt font
+&1&&left&&\qquad-          \char'176\      !\qquad\dag&\cr
+&2&&left&&*          /        \%&\cr
+&3&&left&&+          -&\cr
+&4&&left&&>>         <<&\cr
+&5&&left&&==         !=       >      <      <=      >=&\cr
+&6&&left&&\&&\cr
+&7&&left&&|&\cr
+&8&&left&&{\&\&}&\cr
+&9&&left&&||&\cr
+&10&&right&&?        :&\cr
+&11&&right&&\qquad\&=      +=       -=     *=     /=\qquad\ddag&\cr
+&lowest&&&&&\cr
+height2pt&\omit&&\omit&&\omit&\cr}
+\hrule}
+@end tex
+@iftex
+{
+@obeylines@parskip=0pt@parindent=0pt
+@dag@quad Prefix operators.
+@ddag@quad @xref{Assignments}.
+}
+@end iftex
+@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
+
+@node Evaluation
+@subsection Evaluation
+@cindex lazy evaluation
+@cindex expression evaluation order
+The linker evaluates expressions lazily.  It only computes the value of
+an expression when absolutely necessary.
+
+The linker needs some information, such as the value of the start
+address of the first section, and the origins and lengths of memory
+regions, in order to do any linking at all.  These values are computed
+as soon as possible when the linker reads in the linker script.
+
+However, other values (such as symbol values) are not known or needed
+until after storage allocation.  Such values are evaluated later, when
+other information (such as the sizes of output sections) is available
+for use in the symbol assignment expression.
+
+The sizes of sections cannot be known until after allocation, so
+assignments dependent upon these are not performed until after
+allocation.
+
+Some expressions, such as those depending upon the location counter
+@samp{.}, must be evaluated during section allocation.
+
+If the result of an expression is required, but the value is not
+available, then an error results.  For example, a script like the
+following
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS
+  @{
+    .text 9+this_isnt_constant :
+      @{ *(.text) @}
+  @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+will cause the error message @samp{non constant expression for initial
+address}.
+
+@node Expression Section
+@subsection The Section of an Expression
+@cindex expression sections
+@cindex absolute expressions
+@cindex relative expressions
+@cindex absolute and relocatable symbols
+@cindex relocatable and absolute symbols
+@cindex symbols, relocatable and absolute
+Addresses and symbols may be section relative, or absolute.  A section
+relative symbol is relocatable.  If you request relocatable output
+using the @samp{-r} option, a further link operation may change the
+value of a section relative symbol.  On the other hand, an absolute
+symbol will retain the same value throughout any further link
+operations.
+
+Some terms in linker expressions are addresses.  This is true of
+section relative symbols and for builtin functions that return an
+address, such as @code{ADDR}, @code{LOADADDR}, @code{ORIGIN} and
+@code{SEGMENT_START}.  Other terms are simply numbers, or are builtin
+functions that return a non-address value, such as @code{LENGTH}.
+One complication is that unless you set @code{LD_FEATURE ("SANE_EXPR")}
+(@pxref{Miscellaneous Commands}), numbers and absolute symbols are treated
+differently depending on their location, for compatibility with older
+versions of @code{ld}.  Expressions appearing outside an output
+section definition treat all numbers as absolute addresses.
+Expressions appearing inside an output section definition treat
+absolute symbols as numbers.  If @code{LD_FEATURE ("SANE_EXPR")} is
+given, then absolute symbols and numbers are simply treated as numbers
+everywhere.
+
+In the following simple example,
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS
+  @{
+    . = 0x100;
+    __executable_start = 0x100;
+    .data :
+    @{
+      . = 0x10;
+      __data_start = 0x10;
+      *(.data)
+    @}
+    @dots{}
+  @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+both @code{.} and @code{__executable_start} are set to the absolute
+address 0x100 in the first two assignments, then both @code{.} and
+@code{__data_start} are set to 0x10 relative to the @code{.data}
+section in the second two assignments.
+
+For expressions involving numbers, relative addresses and absolute
+addresses, ld follows these rules to evaluate terms:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+Unary operations on an absolute address or number, and binary
+operations on two absolute addresses or two numbers, or between one
+absolute address and a number, apply the operator to the value(s).
+@item
+Unary operations on a relative address, and binary operations on two
+relative addresses in the same section or between one relative address
+and a number, apply the operator to the offset part of the address(es).
+@item
+Other binary operations, that is, between two relative addresses not
+in the same section, or between a relative address and an absolute
+address, first convert any non-absolute term to an absolute address
+before applying the operator.
+@end itemize
+
+The result section of each sub-expression is as follows:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+An operation involving only numbers results in a number.
+@item
+The result of comparisons, @samp{&&} and @samp{||} is also a number.
+@item
+The result of other binary arithmetic and logical operations on two
+relative addresses in the same section or two absolute addresses
+(after above conversions) is also a number when
+@code{LD_FEATURE ("SANE_EXPR")} or inside an output section definition
+but an absolute address otherwise.
+@item
+The result of other operations on relative addresses or one
+relative address and a number, is a relative address in the same
+section as the relative operand(s).
+@item
+The result of other operations on absolute addresses (after above
+conversions) is an absolute address.
+@end itemize
+
+You can use the builtin function @code{ABSOLUTE} to force an expression
+to be absolute when it would otherwise be relative.  For example, to
+create an absolute symbol set to the address of the end of the output
+section @samp{.data}:
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+  @{
+    .data : @{ *(.data) _edata = ABSOLUTE(.); @}
+  @}
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+If @samp{ABSOLUTE} were not used, @samp{_edata} would be relative to the
+@samp{.data} section.
+
+Using @code{LOADADDR} also forces an expression absolute, since this
+particular builtin function returns an absolute address.
+
+@node Builtin Functions
+@subsection Builtin Functions
+@cindex functions in expressions
+The linker script language includes a number of builtin functions for
+use in linker script expressions.
+
+@table @code
+@item ABSOLUTE(@var{exp})
+@kindex ABSOLUTE(@var{exp})
+@cindex expression, absolute
+Return the absolute (non-relocatable, as opposed to non-negative) value
+of the expression @var{exp}.  Primarily useful to assign an absolute
+value to a symbol within a section definition, where symbol values are
+normally section relative.  @xref{Expression Section}.
+
+@item ADDR(@var{section})
+@kindex ADDR(@var{section})
+@cindex section address in expression
+Return the address (VMA) of the named @var{section}.  Your
+script must previously have defined the location of that section.  In
+the following example, @code{start_of_output_1}, @code{symbol_1} and
+@code{symbol_2} are assigned equivalent values, except that
+@code{symbol_1} will be relative to the @code{.output1} section while
+the other two will be absolute:
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS @{ @dots{}
+  .output1 :
+    @{
+    start_of_output_1 = ABSOLUTE(.);
+    @dots{}
+    @}
+  .output :
+    @{
+    symbol_1 = ADDR(.output1);
+    symbol_2 = start_of_output_1;
+    @}
+@dots{} @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@item ALIGN(@var{align})
+@itemx ALIGN(@var{exp},@var{align})
+@kindex ALIGN(@var{align})
+@kindex ALIGN(@var{exp},@var{align})
+@cindex round up location counter
+@cindex align location counter
+@cindex round up expression
+@cindex align expression
+Return the location counter (@code{.}) or arbitrary expression aligned
+to the next @var{align} boundary.  The single operand @code{ALIGN}
+doesn't change the value of the location counter---it just does
+arithmetic on it.  The two operand @code{ALIGN} allows an arbitrary
+expression to be aligned upwards (@code{ALIGN(@var{align})} is
+equivalent to @code{ALIGN(ABSOLUTE(.), @var{align})}).
+
+Here is an example which aligns the output @code{.data} section to the
+next @code{0x2000} byte boundary after the preceding section and sets a
+variable within the section to the next @code{0x8000} boundary after the
+input sections:
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS @{ @dots{}
+  .data ALIGN(0x2000): @{
+    *(.data)
+    variable = ALIGN(0x8000);
+  @}
+@dots{} @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+The first use of @code{ALIGN} in this example specifies the location of
+a section because it is used as the optional @var{address} attribute of
+a section definition (@pxref{Output Section Address}).  The second use
+of @code{ALIGN} is used to defines the value of a symbol.
+
+The builtin function @code{NEXT} is closely related to @code{ALIGN}.
+
+@item ALIGNOF(@var{section})
+@kindex ALIGNOF(@var{section})
+@cindex section alignment
+Return the alignment in bytes of the named @var{section}, if that section has
+been allocated.  If the section has not been allocated when this is
+evaluated, the linker will report an error. In the following example,
+the alignment of the @code{.output} section is stored as the first
+value in that section.
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS@{ @dots{}
+  .output @{
+    LONG (ALIGNOF (.output))
+    @dots{}
+    @}
+@dots{} @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@item BLOCK(@var{exp})
+@kindex BLOCK(@var{exp})
+This is a synonym for @code{ALIGN}, for compatibility with older linker
+scripts.  It is most often seen when setting the address of an output
+section.
+
+@item DATA_SEGMENT_ALIGN(@var{maxpagesize}, @var{commonpagesize})
+@kindex DATA_SEGMENT_ALIGN(@var{maxpagesize}, @var{commonpagesize})
+This is equivalent to either
+@smallexample
+(ALIGN(@var{maxpagesize}) + (. & (@var{maxpagesize} - 1)))
+@end smallexample
+or
+@smallexample
+(ALIGN(@var{maxpagesize})
+ + ((. + @var{commonpagesize} - 1) & (@var{maxpagesize} - @var{commonpagesize})))
+@end smallexample
+@noindent
+depending on whether the latter uses fewer @var{commonpagesize} sized pages
+for the data segment (area between the result of this expression and
+@code{DATA_SEGMENT_END}) than the former or not.
+If the latter form is used, it means @var{commonpagesize} bytes of runtime
+memory will be saved at the expense of up to @var{commonpagesize} wasted
+bytes in the on-disk file.
+
+This expression can only be used directly in @code{SECTIONS} commands, not in
+any output section descriptions and only once in the linker script.
+@var{commonpagesize} should be less or equal to @var{maxpagesize} and should
+be the system page size the object wants to be optimized for while still
+running on system page sizes up to @var{maxpagesize}.  Note however
+that @samp{-z relro} protection will not be effective if the system
+page size is larger than @var{commonpagesize}.
+
+@noindent
+Example:
+@smallexample
+  . = DATA_SEGMENT_ALIGN(0x10000, 0x2000);
+@end smallexample
+
+@item DATA_SEGMENT_END(@var{exp})
+@kindex DATA_SEGMENT_END(@var{exp})
+This defines the end of data segment for @code{DATA_SEGMENT_ALIGN}
+evaluation purposes.
+
+@smallexample
+  . = DATA_SEGMENT_END(.);
+@end smallexample
+
+@item DATA_SEGMENT_RELRO_END(@var{offset}, @var{exp})
+@kindex DATA_SEGMENT_RELRO_END(@var{offset}, @var{exp})
+This defines the end of the @code{PT_GNU_RELRO} segment when
+@samp{-z relro} option is used.
+When @samp{-z relro} option is not present, @code{DATA_SEGMENT_RELRO_END}
+does nothing, otherwise @code{DATA_SEGMENT_ALIGN} is padded so that
+@var{exp} + @var{offset} is aligned to the @var{commonpagesize}
+argument given to @code{DATA_SEGMENT_ALIGN}.  If present in the linker
+script, it must be placed between @code{DATA_SEGMENT_ALIGN} and
+@code{DATA_SEGMENT_END}.  Evaluates to the second argument plus any
+padding needed at the end of the @code{PT_GNU_RELRO} segment due to
+section alignment.
+
+@smallexample
+  . = DATA_SEGMENT_RELRO_END(24, .);
+@end smallexample
+
+@item DEFINED(@var{symbol})
+@kindex DEFINED(@var{symbol})
+@cindex symbol defaults
+Return 1 if @var{symbol} is in the linker global symbol table and is
+defined before the statement using DEFINED in the script, otherwise
+return 0.  You can use this function to provide
+default values for symbols.  For example, the following script fragment
+shows how to set a global symbol @samp{begin} to the first location in
+the @samp{.text} section---but if a symbol called @samp{begin} already
+existed, its value is preserved:
+
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS @{ @dots{}
+  .text : @{
+    begin = DEFINED(begin) ? begin : . ;
+    @dots{}
+  @}
+  @dots{}
+@}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@item LENGTH(@var{memory})
+@kindex LENGTH(@var{memory})
+Return the length of the memory region named @var{memory}.
+
+@item LOADADDR(@var{section})
+@kindex LOADADDR(@var{section})
+@cindex section load address in expression
+Return the absolute LMA of the named @var{section}.  (@pxref{Output
+Section LMA}).
+
+@item LOG2CEIL(@var{exp})
+@kindex LOG2CEIL(@var{exp})
+Return the binary logarithm of @var{exp} rounded towards infinity.
+@code{LOG2CEIL(0)} returns 0.
+
+@kindex MAX
+@item MAX(@var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
+Returns the maximum of @var{exp1} and @var{exp2}.
+
+@kindex MIN
+@item MIN(@var{exp1}, @var{exp2})
+Returns the minimum of @var{exp1} and @var{exp2}.
+
+@item NEXT(@var{exp})
+@kindex NEXT(@var{exp})
+@cindex unallocated address, next
+Return the next unallocated address that is a multiple of @var{exp}.
+This function is closely related to @code{ALIGN(@var{exp})}; unless you
+use the @code{MEMORY} command to define discontinuous memory for the
+output file, the two functions are equivalent.
+
+@item ORIGIN(@var{memory})
+@kindex ORIGIN(@var{memory})
+Return the origin of the memory region named @var{memory}.
+
+@item SEGMENT_START(@var{segment}, @var{default})
+@kindex SEGMENT_START(@var{segment}, @var{default})
+Return the base address of the named @var{segment}.  If an explicit
+value has already been given for this segment (with a command-line
+@samp{-T} option) then that value will be returned otherwise the value
+will be @var{default}.  At present, the @samp{-T} command-line option
+can only be used to set the base address for the ``text'', ``data'', and
+``bss'' sections, but you can use @code{SEGMENT_START} with any segment
+name.
+
+@item SIZEOF(@var{section})
+@kindex SIZEOF(@var{section})
+@cindex section size
+Return the size in bytes of the named @var{section}, if that section has
+been allocated.  If the section has not been allocated when this is
+evaluated, the linker will report an error.  In the following example,
+@code{symbol_1} and @code{symbol_2} are assigned identical values:
+@smallexample
+@group
+SECTIONS@{ @dots{}
+  .output @{
+    .start = . ;
+    @dots{}
+    .end = . ;
+    @}
+  symbol_1 = .end - .start ;
+  symbol_2 = SIZEOF(.output);
+@dots{} @}
+@end group
+@end smallexample
+
+@item SIZEOF_HEADERS
+@itemx sizeof_headers
+@kindex SIZEOF_HEADERS
+@cindex header size
+Return the size in bytes of the output file's headers.  This is
+information which appears at the start of the output file.  You can use
+this number when setting the start address of the first section, if you
+choose, to facilitate paging.
+
+@cindex not enough room for program headers
+@cindex program headers, not enough room
+When producing an ELF output file, if the linker script uses the
+@code{SIZEOF_HEADERS} builtin function, the linker must compute the
+number of program headers before it has determined all the section
+addresses and sizes.  If the linker later discovers that it needs
+additional program headers, it will report an error @samp{not enough
+room for program headers}.  To avoid this error, you must avoid using
+the @code{SIZEOF_HEADERS} function, or you must rework your linker
+script to avoid forcing the linker to use additional program headers, or
+you must define the program headers yourself using the @code{PHDRS}
+command (@pxref{PHDRS}).
+@end table
+
+@node Implicit Linker Scripts
+@section Implicit Linker Scripts
+@cindex implicit linker scripts
+If you specify a linker input file which the linker can not recognize as
+an object file or an archive file, it will try to read the file as a
+linker script.  If the file can not be parsed as a linker script, the
+linker will report an error.
+
+An implicit linker script will not replace the default linker script.
+
+Typically an implicit linker script would contain only symbol
+assignments, or the @code{INPUT}, @code{GROUP}, or @code{VERSION}
+commands.
+
+Any input files read because of an implicit linker script will be read
+at the position in the command line where the implicit linker script was
+read.  This can affect archive searching.
+
+@ifset GENERIC
+@node Machine Dependent
+@chapter Machine Dependent Features
+
+@cindex machine dependencies
+@command{ld} has additional features on some platforms; the following
+sections describe them.  Machines where @command{ld} has no additional
+functionality are not listed.
+
+@menu
+@ifset H8300
+* H8/300::                      @command{ld} and the H8/300
+@end ifset
+@ifset M68HC11
+* M68HC11/68HC12::		@code{ld} and the Motorola 68HC11 and 68HC12 families
+@end ifset
+@ifset ARM
+* ARM::				@command{ld} and the ARM family
+@end ifset
+@ifset HPPA
+* HPPA ELF32::                  @command{ld} and HPPA 32-bit ELF
+@end ifset
+@ifset M68K
+* M68K::			@command{ld} and the Motorola 68K family
+@end ifset
+@ifset MIPS
+* MIPS::			@command{ld} and the MIPS family
+@end ifset
+@ifset MMIX
+* MMIX::			@command{ld} and MMIX
+@end ifset
+@ifset MSP430
+* MSP430::			@command{ld} and MSP430
+@end ifset
+@ifset NDS32
+* NDS32::			@command{ld} and NDS32
+@end ifset
+@ifset NIOSII
+* Nios II::			@command{ld} and the Altera Nios II
+@end ifset
+@ifset POWERPC
+* PowerPC ELF32::		@command{ld} and PowerPC 32-bit ELF Support
+@end ifset
+@ifset POWERPC64
+* PowerPC64 ELF64::		@command{ld} and PowerPC64 64-bit ELF Support
+@end ifset
+@ifset S/390
+* S/390 ELF::			@command{ld} and S/390 ELF Support
+@end ifset
+@ifset SPU
+* SPU ELF::			@command{ld} and SPU ELF Support
+@end ifset
+@ifset TICOFF
+* TI COFF::                     @command{ld} and TI COFF
+@end ifset
+@ifset WIN32
+* WIN32::                       @command{ld} and WIN32 (cygwin/mingw)
+@end ifset
+@ifset XTENSA
+* Xtensa::                      @command{ld} and Xtensa Processors
+@end ifset
+@end menu
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset H8300
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node H8/300
+@section @command{ld} and the H8/300
+
+@cindex H8/300 support
+For the H8/300, @command{ld} can perform these global optimizations when
+you specify the @samp{--relax} command-line option.
+
+@table @emph
+@cindex relaxing on H8/300
+@item relaxing address modes
+@command{ld} finds all @code{jsr} and @code{jmp} instructions whose
+targets are within eight bits, and turns them into eight-bit
+program-counter relative @code{bsr} and @code{bra} instructions,
+respectively.
+
+@cindex synthesizing on H8/300
+@item synthesizing instructions
+@c FIXME: specifically mov.b, or any mov instructions really? -> mov.b only, at least on H8, H8H, H8S
+@command{ld} finds all @code{mov.b} instructions which use the
+sixteen-bit absolute address form, but refer to the top
+page of memory, and changes them to use the eight-bit address form.
+(That is: the linker turns @samp{mov.b @code{@@}@var{aa}:16} into
+@samp{mov.b @code{@@}@var{aa}:8} whenever the address @var{aa} is in the
+top page of memory).
+
+@command{ld} finds all @code{mov} instructions which use the register
+indirect with 32-bit displacement addressing mode, but use a small
+displacement inside 16-bit displacement range, and changes them to use
+the 16-bit displacement form.  (That is: the linker turns @samp{mov.b
+@code{@@}@var{d}:32,ERx} into @samp{mov.b @code{@@}@var{d}:16,ERx}
+whenever the displacement @var{d} is in the 16 bit signed integer
+range. Only implemented in ELF-format ld).
+
+@item bit manipulation instructions
+@command{ld} finds all bit manipulation instructions like @code{band, bclr,
+biand, bild, bior, bist, bixor, bld, bnot, bor, bset, bst, btst, bxor}
+which use 32 bit and 16 bit absolute address form, but refer to the top
+page of memory, and changes them to use the 8 bit address form.
+(That is: the linker turns @samp{bset #xx:3,@code{@@}@var{aa}:32} into
+@samp{bset #xx:3,@code{@@}@var{aa}:8} whenever the address @var{aa} is in
+the top page of memory).
+
+@item system control instructions
+@command{ld} finds all @code{ldc.w, stc.w} instructions which use the
+32 bit absolute address form, but refer to the top page of memory, and
+changes them to use 16 bit address form.
+(That is: the linker turns @samp{ldc.w @code{@@}@var{aa}:32,ccr} into
+@samp{ldc.w @code{@@}@var{aa}:16,ccr} whenever the address @var{aa} is in
+the top page of memory).
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@ifset Renesas
+@c This stuff is pointless to say unless you're especially concerned
+@c with Renesas chips; don't enable it for generic case, please.
+@node Renesas
+@chapter @command{ld} and Other Renesas Chips
+
+@command{ld} also supports the Renesas (formerly Hitachi) H8/300H,
+H8/500, and SH chips.  No special features, commands, or command-line
+options are required for these chips.
+@end ifset
+@end ifclear
+
+@ifset ARM
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@ifset M68HC11
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node M68HC11/68HC12
+@section @command{ld} and the Motorola 68HC11 and 68HC12 families
+
+@cindex M68HC11 and 68HC12 support
+
+@subsection Linker Relaxation
+
+For the Motorola 68HC11, @command{ld} can perform these global
+optimizations when you specify the @samp{--relax} command-line option.
+
+@table @emph
+@cindex relaxing on M68HC11
+@item relaxing address modes
+@command{ld} finds all @code{jsr} and @code{jmp} instructions whose
+targets are within eight bits, and turns them into eight-bit
+program-counter relative @code{bsr} and @code{bra} instructions,
+respectively.
+
+@command{ld} also looks at all 16-bit extended addressing modes and
+transforms them in a direct addressing mode when the address is in
+page 0 (between 0 and 0x0ff).
+
+@item relaxing gcc instruction group
+When @command{gcc} is called with @option{-mrelax}, it can emit group
+of instructions that the linker can optimize to use a 68HC11 direct
+addressing mode. These instructions consists of @code{bclr} or
+@code{bset} instructions.
+
+@end table
+
+@subsection Trampoline Generation
+
+@cindex trampoline generation on M68HC11
+@cindex trampoline generation on M68HC12
+For 68HC11 and 68HC12, @command{ld} can generate trampoline code to
+call a far function using a normal @code{jsr} instruction. The linker
+will also change the relocation to some far function to use the
+trampoline address instead of the function address. This is typically the
+case when a pointer to a function is taken. The pointer will in fact
+point to the function trampoline.
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@node ARM
+@section @command{ld} and the ARM family
+
+@cindex ARM interworking support
+@kindex --support-old-code
+For the ARM, @command{ld} will generate code stubs to allow functions calls
+between ARM and Thumb code.  These stubs only work with code that has
+been compiled and assembled with the @samp{-mthumb-interwork} command
+line option.  If it is necessary to link with old ARM object files or
+libraries, which have not been compiled with the -mthumb-interwork
+option then the @samp{--support-old-code} command line switch should be
+given to the linker.  This will make it generate larger stub functions
+which will work with non-interworking aware ARM code.  Note, however,
+the linker does not support generating stubs for function calls to
+non-interworking aware Thumb code.
+
+@cindex thumb entry point
+@cindex entry point, thumb
+@kindex --thumb-entry=@var{entry}
+The @samp{--thumb-entry} switch is a duplicate of the generic
+@samp{--entry} switch, in that it sets the program's starting address.
+But it also sets the bottom bit of the address, so that it can be
+branched to using a BX instruction, and the program will start
+executing in Thumb mode straight away.
+
+@cindex PE import table prefixing
+@kindex --use-nul-prefixed-import-tables
+The @samp{--use-nul-prefixed-import-tables} switch is specifying, that
+the import tables idata4 and idata5 have to be generated with a zero
+element prefix for import libraries. This is the old style to generate
+import tables. By default this option is turned off.
+
+@cindex BE8
+@kindex --be8
+The @samp{--be8} switch instructs @command{ld} to generate BE8 format
+executables.  This option is only valid when linking big-endian
+objects - ie ones which have been assembled with the @option{-EB}
+option.  The resulting image will contain big-endian data and
+little-endian code.
+
+@cindex TARGET1
+@kindex --target1-rel
+@kindex --target1-abs
+The @samp{R_ARM_TARGET1} relocation is typically used for entries in the
+@samp{.init_array} section.  It is interpreted as either @samp{R_ARM_REL32}
+or @samp{R_ARM_ABS32}, depending on the target.  The @samp{--target1-rel}
+and @samp{--target1-abs} switches override the default.
+
+@cindex TARGET2
+@kindex --target2=@var{type}
+The @samp{--target2=type} switch overrides the default definition of the
+@samp{R_ARM_TARGET2} relocation.  Valid values for @samp{type}, their
+meanings, and target defaults are as follows:
+@table @samp
+@item rel
+@samp{R_ARM_REL32} (arm*-*-elf, arm*-*-eabi)
+@item abs
+@samp{R_ARM_ABS32} (arm*-*-symbianelf)
+@item got-rel
+@samp{R_ARM_GOT_PREL} (arm*-*-linux, arm*-*-*bsd)
+@end table
+
+@cindex FIX_V4BX
+@kindex --fix-v4bx
+The @samp{R_ARM_V4BX} relocation (defined by the ARM AAELF
+specification) enables objects compiled for the ARMv4 architecture to be
+interworking-safe when linked with other objects compiled for ARMv4t, but
+also allows pure ARMv4 binaries to be built from the same ARMv4 objects.
+
+In the latter case, the switch @option{--fix-v4bx} must be passed to the
+linker, which causes v4t @code{BX rM} instructions to be rewritten as
+@code{MOV PC,rM}, since v4 processors do not have a @code{BX} instruction.
+
+In the former case, the switch should not be used, and @samp{R_ARM_V4BX}
+relocations are ignored.
+
+@cindex FIX_V4BX_INTERWORKING
+@kindex --fix-v4bx-interworking
+Replace @code{BX rM} instructions identified by @samp{R_ARM_V4BX}
+relocations with a branch to the following veneer:
+
+@smallexample
+TST rM, #1
+MOVEQ PC, rM
+BX Rn
+@end smallexample
+
+This allows generation of libraries/applications that work on ARMv4 cores
+and are still interworking safe.  Note that the above veneer clobbers the
+condition flags, so may cause incorrect program behavior in rare cases.
+
+@cindex USE_BLX
+@kindex --use-blx
+The @samp{--use-blx} switch enables the linker to use ARM/Thumb
+BLX instructions (available on ARMv5t and above) in various
+situations. Currently it is used to perform calls via the PLT from Thumb
+code using BLX rather than using BX and a mode-switching stub before
+each PLT entry. This should lead to such calls executing slightly faster.
+
+This option is enabled implicitly for SymbianOS, so there is no need to
+specify it if you are using that target.
+
+@cindex VFP11_DENORM_FIX
+@kindex --vfp11-denorm-fix
+The @samp{--vfp11-denorm-fix} switch enables a link-time workaround for a
+bug in certain VFP11 coprocessor hardware, which sometimes allows
+instructions with denorm operands (which must be handled by support code)
+to have those operands overwritten by subsequent instructions before
+the support code can read the intended values.
+
+The bug may be avoided in scalar mode if you allow at least one
+intervening instruction between a VFP11 instruction which uses a register
+and another instruction which writes to the same register, or at least two
+intervening instructions if vector mode is in use. The bug only affects
+full-compliance floating-point mode: you do not need this workaround if
+you are using "runfast" mode. Please contact ARM for further details.
+
+If you know you are using buggy VFP11 hardware, you can
+enable this workaround by specifying the linker option
+@samp{--vfp-denorm-fix=scalar} if you are using the VFP11 scalar
+mode only, or @samp{--vfp-denorm-fix=vector} if you are using
+vector mode (the latter also works for scalar code). The default is
+@samp{--vfp-denorm-fix=none}.
+
+If the workaround is enabled, instructions are scanned for
+potentially-troublesome sequences, and a veneer is created for each
+such sequence which may trigger the erratum. The veneer consists of the
+first instruction of the sequence and a branch back to the subsequent
+instruction. The original instruction is then replaced with a branch to
+the veneer. The extra cycles required to call and return from the veneer
+are sufficient to avoid the erratum in both the scalar and vector cases.
+
+@cindex ARM1176 erratum workaround
+@kindex --fix-arm1176
+@kindex --no-fix-arm1176
+The @samp{--fix-arm1176} switch enables a link-time workaround for an erratum
+in certain ARM1176 processors.  The workaround is enabled by default if you
+are targeting ARM v6 (excluding ARM v6T2) or earlier.  It can be disabled
+unconditionally by specifying @samp{--no-fix-arm1176}.
+
+Further information is available in the ``ARM1176JZ-S and ARM1176JZF-S
+Programmer Advice Notice'' available on the ARM documentation website at:
+http://infocenter.arm.com/.
+
+@cindex STM32L4xx erratum workaround
+@kindex --fix-stm32l4xx-629360
+
+The @samp{--fix-stm32l4xx-629360} switch enables a link-time
+workaround for a bug in the bus matrix / memory controller for some of
+the STM32 Cortex-M4 based products (STM32L4xx).  When accessing
+off-chip memory via the affected bus for bus reads of 9 words or more,
+the bus can generate corrupt data and/or abort.  These are only
+core-initiated accesses (not DMA), and might affect any access:
+integer loads such as LDM, POP and floating-point loads such as VLDM,
+VPOP.  Stores are not affected.
+
+The bug can be avoided by splitting memory accesses into the
+necessary chunks to keep bus reads below 8 words.
+
+The workaround is not enabled by default, this is equivalent to use
+@samp{--fix-stm32l4xx-629360=none}.  If you know you are using buggy
+STM32L4xx hardware, you can enable the workaround by specifying the
+linker option @samp{--fix-stm32l4xx-629360}, or the equivalent
+@samp{--fix-stm32l4xx-629360=default}.
+
+If the workaround is enabled, instructions are scanned for
+potentially-troublesome sequences, and a veneer is created for each
+such sequence which may trigger the erratum.  The veneer consists in a
+replacement sequence emulating the behaviour of the original one and a
+branch back to the subsequent instruction.  The original instruction is
+then replaced with a branch to the veneer.
+
+The workaround does not always preserve the memory access order for
+the LDMDB instruction, when the instruction loads the PC.
+
+The workaround is not able to handle problematic instructions when
+they are in the middle of an IT block, since a branch is not allowed
+there.  In that case, the linker reports a warning and no replacement
+occurs.
+
+The workaround is not able to replace problematic instructions with a
+PC-relative branch instruction if the @samp{.text} section is too
+large.  In that case, when the branch that replaces the original code
+cannot be encoded, the linker reports a warning and no replacement
+occurs.
+
+@cindex NO_ENUM_SIZE_WARNING
+@kindex --no-enum-size-warning
+The @option{--no-enum-size-warning} switch prevents the linker from
+warning when linking object files that specify incompatible EABI
+enumeration size attributes.  For example, with this switch enabled,
+linking of an object file using 32-bit enumeration values with another
+using enumeration values fitted into the smallest possible space will
+not be diagnosed.
+
+@cindex NO_WCHAR_SIZE_WARNING
+@kindex --no-wchar-size-warning
+The @option{--no-wchar-size-warning} switch prevents the linker from
+warning when linking object files that specify incompatible EABI
+@code{wchar_t} size attributes.  For example, with this switch enabled,
+linking of an object file using 32-bit @code{wchar_t} values with another
+using 16-bit @code{wchar_t} values will not be diagnosed.
+
+@cindex PIC_VENEER
+@kindex --pic-veneer
+The @samp{--pic-veneer} switch makes the linker use PIC sequences for
+ARM/Thumb interworking veneers, even if the rest of the binary
+is not PIC.  This avoids problems on uClinux targets where
+@samp{--emit-relocs} is used to generate relocatable binaries.
+
+@cindex STUB_GROUP_SIZE
+@kindex --stub-group-size=@var{N}
+The linker will automatically generate and insert small sequences of
+code into a linked ARM ELF executable whenever an attempt is made to
+perform a function call to a symbol that is too far away.  The
+placement of these sequences of instructions - called stubs - is
+controlled by the command line option @option{--stub-group-size=N}.
+The placement is important because a poor choice can create a need for
+duplicate stubs, increasing the code size.  The linker will try to
+group stubs together in order to reduce interruptions to the flow of
+code, but it needs guidance as to how big these groups should be and
+where they should be placed.
+
+The value of @samp{N}, the parameter to the
+@option{--stub-group-size=} option controls where the stub groups are
+placed.  If it is negative then all stubs are placed after the first
+branch that needs them.  If it is positive then the stubs can be
+placed either before or after the branches that need them.  If the
+value of @samp{N} is 1 (either +1 or -1) then the linker will choose
+exactly where to place groups of stubs, using its built in heuristics.
+A value of @samp{N} greater than 1 (or smaller than -1) tells the
+linker that a single group of stubs can service at most @samp{N} bytes
+from the input sections.
+
+The default, if @option{--stub-group-size=} is not specified, is
+@samp{N = +1}.
+
+Farcalls stubs insertion is fully supported for the ARM-EABI target
+only, because it relies on object files properties not present
+otherwise.
+
+@cindex Cortex-A8 erratum workaround
+@kindex --fix-cortex-a8
+@kindex --no-fix-cortex-a8
+The @samp{--fix-cortex-a8} switch enables a link-time workaround for an erratum in certain Cortex-A8 processors.  The workaround is enabled by default if you are targeting the ARM v7-A architecture profile.  It can be enabled otherwise by specifying @samp{--fix-cortex-a8}, or disabled unconditionally by specifying @samp{--no-fix-cortex-a8}.
+
+The erratum only affects Thumb-2 code.  Please contact ARM for further details.
+
+@cindex Cortex-A53 erratum 835769 workaround
+@kindex --fix-cortex-a53-835769
+@kindex --no-fix-cortex-a53-835769
+The @samp{--fix-cortex-a53-835769} switch enables a link-time workaround for erratum 835769 present on certain early revisions of Cortex-A53 processors.  The workaround is disabled by default.  It can be enabled by specifying @samp{--fix-cortex-a53-835769}, or disabled unconditionally by specifying @samp{--no-fix-cortex-a53-835769}.
+
+Please contact ARM for further details.
+
+@kindex --merge-exidx-entries
+@kindex --no-merge-exidx-entries
+@cindex Merging exidx entries
+The @samp{--no-merge-exidx-entries} switch disables the merging of adjacent exidx entries in debuginfo.
+
+@kindex --long-plt
+@cindex 32-bit PLT entries
+The @samp{--long-plt} option enables the use of 16 byte PLT entries
+which support up to 4Gb of code.  The default is to use 12 byte PLT
+entries which only support 512Mb of code.
+
+@kindex --no-apply-dynamic-relocs
+@cindex AArch64 rela addend
+The @samp{--no-apply-dynamic-relocs} option makes AArch64 linker do not apply
+link-time values for dynamic relocations.
+
+@cindex Placement of SG veneers
+All SG veneers are placed in the special output section @code{.gnu.sgstubs}.
+Its start address must be set, either with the command line option
+@samp{--section-start} or in a linker script, to indicate where to place these
+veneers in memory.
+
+@kindex --cmse-implib
+@cindex Secure gateway import library
+The @samp{--cmse-implib} option requests that the import libraries
+specified by the @samp{--out-implib} and @samp{--in-implib} options are
+secure gateway import libraries, suitable for linking a non-secure
+executable against secure code as per ARMv8-M Security Extensions.
+
+@kindex --in-implib=@var{file}
+@cindex Input import library
+The @samp{--in-implib=file} specifies an input import library whose symbols
+must keep the same address in the executable being produced.  A warning is
+given if no @samp{--out-implib} is given but new symbols have been introduced
+in the executable that should be listed in its import library.  Otherwise, if
+@samp{--out-implib} is specified, the symbols are added to the output import
+library.  A warning is also given if some symbols present in the input import
+library have disappeared from the executable.  This option is only effective
+for Secure Gateway import libraries, ie. when @samp{--cmse-implib} is
+specified.
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset HPPA
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node HPPA ELF32
+@section @command{ld} and HPPA 32-bit ELF Support
+@cindex HPPA multiple sub-space stubs
+@kindex --multi-subspace
+When generating a shared library, @command{ld} will by default generate
+import stubs suitable for use with a single sub-space application.
+The @samp{--multi-subspace} switch causes @command{ld} to generate export
+stubs, and different (larger) import stubs suitable for use with
+multiple sub-spaces.
+
+@cindex HPPA stub grouping
+@kindex --stub-group-size=@var{N}
+Long branch stubs and import/export stubs are placed by @command{ld} in
+stub sections located between groups of input sections.
+@samp{--stub-group-size} specifies the maximum size of a group of input
+sections handled by one stub section.  Since branch offsets are signed,
+a stub section may serve two groups of input sections, one group before
+the stub section, and one group after it.  However, when using
+conditional branches that require stubs, it may be better (for branch
+prediction) that stub sections only serve one group of input sections.
+A negative value for @samp{N} chooses this scheme, ensuring that
+branches to stubs always use a negative offset.  Two special values of
+@samp{N} are recognized, @samp{1} and @samp{-1}.  These both instruct
+@command{ld} to automatically size input section groups for the branch types
+detected, with the same behaviour regarding stub placement as other
+positive or negative values of @samp{N} respectively.
+
+Note that @samp{--stub-group-size} does not split input sections.  A
+single input section larger than the group size specified will of course
+create a larger group (of one section).  If input sections are too
+large, it may not be possible for a branch to reach its stub.
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset M68K
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node M68K
+@section @command{ld} and the Motorola 68K family
+
+@cindex Motorola 68K GOT generation
+@kindex --got=@var{type}
+The @samp{--got=@var{type}} option lets you choose the GOT generation scheme.
+The choices are @samp{single}, @samp{negative}, @samp{multigot} and
+@samp{target}.  When @samp{target} is selected the linker chooses
+the default GOT generation scheme for the current target.
+@samp{single} tells the linker to generate a single GOT with
+entries only at non-negative offsets.
+@samp{negative} instructs the linker to generate a single GOT with
+entries at both negative and positive offsets.  Not all environments
+support such GOTs.
+@samp{multigot} allows the linker to generate several GOTs in the
+output file.  All GOT references from a single input object
+file access the same GOT, but references from different input object
+files might access different GOTs.  Not all environments support such GOTs.
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset MIPS
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node MIPS
+@section @command{ld} and the MIPS family
+
+@cindex MIPS microMIPS instruction choice selection
+@kindex --insn32
+@kindex --no-insn32
+The @samp{--insn32} and @samp{--no-insn32} options control the choice of
+microMIPS instructions used in code generated by the linker, such as that
+in the PLT or lazy binding stubs, or in relaxation.  If @samp{--insn32} is
+used, then the linker only uses 32-bit instruction encodings.  By default
+or if @samp{--no-insn32} is used, all instruction encodings are used,
+including 16-bit ones where possible.
+
+@cindex MIPS branch relocation check control
+@kindex --ignore-branch-isa
+@kindex --no-ignore-branch-isa
+The @samp{--ignore-branch-isa} and @samp{--no-ignore-branch-isa} options
+control branch relocation checks for invalid ISA mode transitions.  If
+@samp{--ignore-branch-isa} is used, then the linker accepts any branch
+relocations and any ISA mode transition required is lost in relocation
+calculation, except for some cases of @code{BAL} instructions which meet
+relaxation conditions and are converted to equivalent @code{JALX}
+instructions as the associated relocation is calculated.  By default
+or if @samp{--no-ignore-branch-isa} is used a check is made causing
+the loss of an ISA mode transition to produce an error.
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset MMIX
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node MMIX
+@section @code{ld} and MMIX
+For MMIX, there is a choice of generating @code{ELF} object files or
+@code{mmo} object files when linking.  The simulator @code{mmix}
+understands the @code{mmo} format.  The binutils @code{objcopy} utility
+can translate between the two formats.
+
+There is one special section, the @samp{.MMIX.reg_contents} section.
+Contents in this section is assumed to correspond to that of global
+registers, and symbols referring to it are translated to special symbols,
+equal to registers.  In a final link, the start address of the
+@samp{.MMIX.reg_contents} section corresponds to the first allocated
+global register multiplied by 8.  Register @code{$255} is not included in
+this section; it is always set to the program entry, which is at the
+symbol @code{Main} for @code{mmo} files.
+
+Global symbols with the prefix @code{__.MMIX.start.}, for example
+@code{__.MMIX.start..text} and @code{__.MMIX.start..data} are special.
+The default linker script uses these to set the default start address
+of a section.
+
+Initial and trailing multiples of zero-valued 32-bit words in a section,
+are left out from an mmo file.
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset MSP430
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node  MSP430
+@section @code{ld} and MSP430
+For the MSP430 it is possible to select the MPU architecture.  The flag @samp{-m [mpu type]}
+will select an appropriate linker script for selected MPU type.  (To get a list of known MPUs
+just pass @samp{-m help} option to the linker).
+
+@cindex MSP430 extra sections
+The linker will recognize some extra sections which are MSP430 specific:
+
+@table @code
+@item @samp{.vectors}
+Defines a portion of ROM where interrupt vectors located.
+
+@item @samp{.bootloader}
+Defines the bootloader portion of the ROM (if applicable).  Any code
+in this section will be uploaded to the MPU.
+
+@item @samp{.infomem}
+Defines an information memory section (if applicable).  Any code in
+this section will be uploaded to the MPU.
+
+@item @samp{.infomemnobits}
+This is the same as the @samp{.infomem} section except that any code
+in this section will not be uploaded to the MPU.
+
+@item @samp{.noinit}
+Denotes a portion of RAM located above @samp{.bss} section.
+
+The last two sections are used by gcc.
+@end table
+
+@table @option
+@cindex MSP430 Options
+@kindex --code-region
+@item --code-region=[either,lower,upper,none]
+This will transform .text* sections to [either,lower,upper].text* sections. The
+argument passed to GCC for -mcode-region is propagated to the linker
+using this option.
+
+@kindex --data-region
+@item --data-region=[either,lower,upper,none]
+This will transform .data*, .bss* and .rodata* sections to
+[either,lower,upper].[data,bss,rodata]* sections. The argument passed to GCC
+for -mdata-region is propagated to the linker using this option.
+
+@kindex --disable-sec-transformation
+@item --disable-sec-transformation
+Prevent the transformation of sections as specified by the @code{--code-region}
+and @code{--data-region} options.
+This is useful if you are compiling and linking using a single call to the GCC
+wrapper, and want to compile the source files using -m[code,data]-region but
+not transform the sections for prebuilt libraries and objects.
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset NDS32
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node NDS32
+@section @code{ld} and NDS32
+@kindex relaxing on NDS32
+For NDS32, there are some options to select relaxation behavior.  The linker
+relaxes objects according to these options.
+
+@table @code
+@item @samp{--m[no-]fp-as-gp}
+Disable/enable fp-as-gp relaxation.
+
+@item @samp{--mexport-symbols=FILE}
+Exporting symbols and their address into FILE as linker script.
+
+@item @samp{--m[no-]ex9}
+Disable/enable link-time EX9 relaxation.
+
+@item @samp{--mexport-ex9=FILE}
+Export the EX9 table after linking.
+
+@item @samp{--mimport-ex9=FILE}
+Import the Ex9 table for EX9 relaxation.
+
+@item @samp{--mupdate-ex9}
+Update the existing EX9 table.
+
+@item @samp{--mex9-limit=NUM}
+Maximum number of entries in the ex9 table.
+
+@item @samp{--mex9-loop-aware}
+Avoid generating the EX9 instruction inside the loop.
+
+@item @samp{--m[no-]ifc}
+Disable/enable the link-time IFC optimization.
+
+@item @samp{--mifc-loop-aware}
+Avoid generating the IFC instruction inside the loop.
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset NIOSII
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node Nios II
+@section @command{ld} and the Altera Nios II
+@cindex Nios II call relaxation
+@kindex --relax on Nios II
+
+Call and immediate jump instructions on Nios II processors are limited to
+transferring control to addresses in the same 256MB memory segment,
+which may result in @command{ld} giving
+@samp{relocation truncated to fit} errors with very large programs.
+The command-line option @option{--relax} enables the generation of
+trampolines that can access the entire 32-bit address space for calls
+outside the normal @code{call} and @code{jmpi} address range.  These
+trampolines are inserted at section boundaries, so may not themselves
+be reachable if an input section and its associated call trampolines are
+larger than 256MB.
+
+The @option{--relax} option is enabled by default unless @option{-r}
+is also specified.  You can disable trampoline generation by using the
+@option{--no-relax} linker option.  You can also disable this optimization
+locally by using the @samp{set .noat} directive in assembly-language
+source files, as the linker-inserted trampolines use the @code{at}
+register as a temporary.
+
+Note that the linker @option{--relax} option is independent of assembler
+relaxation options, and that using the GNU assembler's @option{-relax-all}
+option interferes with the linker's more selective call instruction relaxation.
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset POWERPC
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node PowerPC ELF32
+@section @command{ld} and PowerPC 32-bit ELF Support
+@cindex PowerPC long branches
+@kindex --relax on PowerPC
+Branches on PowerPC processors are limited to a signed 26-bit
+displacement, which may result in @command{ld} giving
+@samp{relocation truncated to fit} errors with very large programs.
+@samp{--relax} enables the generation of trampolines that can access
+the entire 32-bit address space.  These trampolines are inserted at
+section boundaries, so may not themselves be reachable if an input
+section exceeds 33M in size.  You may combine @samp{-r} and
+@samp{--relax} to add trampolines in a partial link.  In that case
+both branches to undefined symbols and inter-section branches are also
+considered potentially out of range, and trampolines inserted.
+
+@cindex PowerPC ELF32 options
+@table @option
+@cindex PowerPC PLT
+@kindex --bss-plt
+@item --bss-plt
+Current PowerPC GCC accepts a @samp{-msecure-plt} option that
+generates code capable of using a newer PLT and GOT layout that has
+the security advantage of no executable section ever needing to be
+writable and no writable section ever being executable.  PowerPC
+@command{ld} will generate this layout, including stubs to access the
+PLT, if all input files (including startup and static libraries) were
+compiled with @samp{-msecure-plt}.  @samp{--bss-plt} forces the old
+BSS PLT (and GOT layout) which can give slightly better performance.
+
+@kindex --secure-plt
+@item --secure-plt
+@command{ld} will use the new PLT and GOT layout if it is linking new
+@samp{-fpic} or @samp{-fPIC} code, but does not do so automatically
+when linking non-PIC code.  This option requests the new PLT and GOT
+layout.  A warning will be given if some object file requires the old
+style BSS PLT.
+
+@cindex PowerPC GOT
+@kindex --sdata-got
+@item --sdata-got
+The new secure PLT and GOT are placed differently relative to other
+sections compared to older BSS PLT and GOT placement.  The location of
+@code{.plt} must change because the new secure PLT is an initialized
+section while the old PLT is uninitialized.  The reason for the
+@code{.got} change is more subtle:  The new placement allows
+@code{.got} to be read-only in applications linked with
+@samp{-z relro -z now}.  However, this placement means that
+@code{.sdata} cannot always be used in shared libraries, because the
+PowerPC ABI accesses @code{.sdata} in shared libraries from the GOT
+pointer.  @samp{--sdata-got} forces the old GOT placement.  PowerPC
+GCC doesn't use @code{.sdata} in shared libraries, so this option is
+really only useful for other compilers that may do so.
+
+@cindex PowerPC stub symbols
+@kindex --emit-stub-syms
+@item --emit-stub-syms
+This option causes @command{ld} to label linker stubs with a local
+symbol that encodes the stub type and destination.
+
+@cindex PowerPC TLS optimization
+@kindex --no-tls-optimize
+@item --no-tls-optimize
+PowerPC @command{ld} normally performs some optimization of code
+sequences used to access Thread-Local Storage.  Use this option to
+disable the optimization.
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset POWERPC64
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node PowerPC64 ELF64
+@section @command{ld} and PowerPC64 64-bit ELF Support
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 ELF64 options
+@table @option
+@cindex PowerPC64 stub grouping
+@kindex --stub-group-size
+@item --stub-group-size
+Long branch stubs, PLT call stubs  and TOC adjusting stubs are placed
+by @command{ld} in stub sections located between groups of input sections.
+@samp{--stub-group-size} specifies the maximum size of a group of input
+sections handled by one stub section.  Since branch offsets are signed,
+a stub section may serve two groups of input sections, one group before
+the stub section, and one group after it.  However, when using
+conditional branches that require stubs, it may be better (for branch
+prediction) that stub sections only serve one group of input sections.
+A negative value for @samp{N} chooses this scheme, ensuring that
+branches to stubs always use a negative offset.  Two special values of
+@samp{N} are recognized, @samp{1} and @samp{-1}.  These both instruct
+@command{ld} to automatically size input section groups for the branch types
+detected, with the same behaviour regarding stub placement as other
+positive or negative values of @samp{N} respectively.
+
+Note that @samp{--stub-group-size} does not split input sections.  A
+single input section larger than the group size specified will of course
+create a larger group (of one section).  If input sections are too
+large, it may not be possible for a branch to reach its stub.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 stub symbols
+@kindex --emit-stub-syms
+@item --emit-stub-syms
+This option causes @command{ld} to label linker stubs with a local
+symbol that encodes the stub type and destination.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 dot symbols
+@kindex --dotsyms
+@kindex --no-dotsyms
+@item --dotsyms
+@itemx --no-dotsyms
+These two options control how @command{ld} interprets version patterns
+in a version script.  Older PowerPC64 compilers emitted both a
+function descriptor symbol with the same name as the function, and a
+code entry symbol with the name prefixed by a dot (@samp{.}).  To
+properly version a function @samp{foo}, the version script thus needs
+to control both @samp{foo} and @samp{.foo}.  The option
+@samp{--dotsyms}, on by default, automatically adds the required
+dot-prefixed patterns.  Use @samp{--no-dotsyms} to disable this
+feature.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 register save/restore functions
+@kindex --save-restore-funcs
+@kindex --no-save-restore-funcs
+@item --save-restore-funcs
+@itemx --no-save-restore-funcs
+These two options control whether PowerPC64 @command{ld} automatically
+provides out-of-line register save and restore functions used by
+@samp{-Os} code.  The default is to provide any such referenced
+function for a normal final link, and to not do so for a relocatable
+link.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 TLS optimization
+@kindex --no-tls-optimize
+@item --no-tls-optimize
+PowerPC64 @command{ld} normally performs some optimization of code
+sequences used to access Thread-Local Storage.  Use this option to
+disable the optimization.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 __tls_get_addr optimization
+@kindex --tls-get-addr-optimize
+@kindex --no-tls-get-addr-optimize
+@item --tls-get-addr-optimize
+@itemx --no-tls-get-addr-optimize
+These options control whether PowerPC64 @command{ld} uses a special
+stub to call __tls_get_addr.  PowerPC64 glibc 2.22 and later support
+an optimization that allows the second and subsequent calls to
+@code{__tls_get_addr} for a given symbol to be resolved by the special
+stub without calling in to glibc.  By default the linker enables this
+option when glibc advertises the availability of __tls_get_addr_opt.
+Forcing this option on when using an older glibc won't do much besides
+slow down your applications, but may be useful if linking an
+application against an older glibc with the expectation that it will
+normally be used on systems having a newer glibc.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 OPD optimization
+@kindex --no-opd-optimize
+@item --no-opd-optimize
+PowerPC64 @command{ld} normally removes @code{.opd} section entries
+corresponding to deleted link-once functions, or functions removed by
+the action of @samp{--gc-sections} or linker script @code{/DISCARD/}.
+Use this option to disable @code{.opd} optimization.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 OPD spacing
+@kindex --non-overlapping-opd
+@item --non-overlapping-opd
+Some PowerPC64 compilers have an option to generate compressed
+@code{.opd} entries spaced 16 bytes apart, overlapping the third word,
+the static chain pointer (unused in C) with the first word of the next
+entry.  This option expands such entries to the full 24 bytes.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 TOC optimization
+@kindex --no-toc-optimize
+@item --no-toc-optimize
+PowerPC64 @command{ld} normally removes unused @code{.toc} section
+entries.  Such entries are detected by examining relocations that
+reference the TOC in code sections.  A reloc in a deleted code section
+marks a TOC word as unneeded, while a reloc in a kept code section
+marks a TOC word as needed.  Since the TOC may reference itself, TOC
+relocs are also examined.  TOC words marked as both needed and
+unneeded will of course be kept.  TOC words without any referencing
+reloc are assumed to be part of a multi-word entry, and are kept or
+discarded as per the nearest marked preceding word.  This works
+reliably for compiler generated code, but may be incorrect if assembly
+code is used to insert TOC entries.  Use this option to disable the
+optimization.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 multi-TOC
+@kindex --no-multi-toc
+@item --no-multi-toc
+If given any toc option besides @code{-mcmodel=medium} or
+@code{-mcmodel=large}, PowerPC64 GCC generates code for a TOC model
+where TOC
+entries are accessed with a 16-bit offset from r2.  This limits the
+total TOC size to 64K.  PowerPC64 @command{ld} extends this limit by
+grouping code sections such that each group uses less than 64K for its
+TOC entries, then inserts r2 adjusting stubs between inter-group
+calls.  @command{ld} does not split apart input sections, so cannot
+help if a single input file has a @code{.toc} section that exceeds
+64K, most likely from linking multiple files with @command{ld -r}.
+Use this option to turn off this feature.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 TOC sorting
+@kindex --no-toc-sort
+@item --no-toc-sort
+By default, @command{ld} sorts TOC sections so that those whose file
+happens to have a section called @code{.init} or @code{.fini} are
+placed first, followed by TOC sections referenced by code generated
+with PowerPC64 gcc's @code{-mcmodel=small}, and lastly TOC sections
+referenced only by code generated with PowerPC64 gcc's
+@code{-mcmodel=medium} or @code{-mcmodel=large} options.  Doing this
+results in better TOC grouping for multi-TOC.  Use this option to turn
+off this feature.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 PLT stub alignment
+@kindex --plt-align
+@kindex --no-plt-align
+@item --plt-align
+@itemx --no-plt-align
+Use these options to control whether individual PLT call stubs are
+aligned to a 32-byte boundary, or to the specified power of two
+boundary when using @code{--plt-align=}.  A negative value may be
+specified to pad PLT call stubs so that they do not cross the
+specified power of two boundary (or the minimum number of boundaries
+if a PLT stub is so large that it must cross a boundary).  By default
+PLT call stubs are aligned to 32-byte boundaries.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 PLT call stub static chain
+@kindex --plt-static-chain
+@kindex --no-plt-static-chain
+@item --plt-static-chain
+@itemx --no-plt-static-chain
+Use these options to control whether PLT call stubs load the static
+chain pointer (r11).  @code{ld} defaults to not loading the static
+chain since there is never any need to do so on a PLT call.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 PLT call stub thread safety
+@kindex --plt-thread-safe
+@kindex --no-plt-thread-safe
+@item --plt-thread-safe
+@itemx --no-plt-thread-safe
+With power7's weakly ordered memory model, it is possible when using
+lazy binding for ld.so to update a plt entry in one thread and have
+another thread see the individual plt entry words update in the wrong
+order, despite ld.so carefully writing in the correct order and using
+memory write barriers.  To avoid this we need some sort of read
+barrier in the call stub, or use LD_BIND_NOW=1.  By default, @code{ld}
+looks for calls to commonly used functions that create threads, and if
+seen, adds the necessary barriers.  Use these options to change the
+default behaviour.
+
+@cindex PowerPC64 ELFv2 PLT localentry optimization
+@kindex --plt-localentry
+@kindex --no-plt-localentry
+@item --plt-localentry
+@itemx --no-localentry
+ELFv2 functions with localentry:0 are those with a single entry point,
+ie. global entry == local entry, and that have no requirement on r2
+(the TOC/GOT pointer) or r12, and guarantee r2 is unchanged on return.
+Such an external function can be called via the PLT without saving r2
+or restoring it on return, avoiding a common load-hit-store for small
+functions.   The optimization is attractive, with up to 40% reduction
+in execution time for a small function, but can result in symbol
+interposition failures.  Also, minor changes in a shared library,
+including system libraries, can cause a function that was localentry:0
+to become localentry:8.  This will result in a dynamic loader
+complaint and failure to run.  The option is experimental, use with
+care.  @option{--no-plt-localentry} is the default.
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset S/390
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node S/390 ELF
+@section @command{ld} and S/390 ELF Support
+
+@cindex S/390 ELF options
+@table @option
+
+@cindex S/390
+@kindex --s390-pgste
+@item --s390-pgste
+This option marks the result file with a @code{PT_S390_PGSTE}
+segment.  The Linux kernel is supposed to allocate 4k page tables for
+binaries marked that way.
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset SPU
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node SPU ELF
+@section @command{ld} and SPU ELF Support
+
+@cindex SPU ELF options
+@table @option
+
+@cindex SPU plugins
+@kindex --plugin
+@item --plugin
+This option marks an executable as a PIC plugin module.
+
+@cindex SPU overlays
+@kindex --no-overlays
+@item --no-overlays
+Normally, @command{ld} recognizes calls to functions within overlay
+regions, and redirects such calls to an overlay manager via a stub.
+@command{ld} also provides a built-in overlay manager.  This option
+turns off all this special overlay handling.
+
+@cindex SPU overlay stub symbols
+@kindex --emit-stub-syms
+@item --emit-stub-syms
+This option causes @command{ld} to label overlay stubs with a local
+symbol that encodes the stub type and destination.
+
+@cindex SPU extra overlay stubs
+@kindex --extra-overlay-stubs
+@item --extra-overlay-stubs
+This option causes @command{ld} to add overlay call stubs on all
+function calls out of overlay regions.  Normally stubs are not added
+on calls to non-overlay regions.
+
+@cindex SPU local store size
+@kindex --local-store=lo:hi
+@item --local-store=lo:hi
+@command{ld} usually checks that a final executable for SPU fits in
+the address range 0 to 256k.  This option may be used to change the
+range.  Disable the check entirely with @option{--local-store=0:0}.
+
+@cindex SPU
+@kindex --stack-analysis
+@item --stack-analysis
+SPU local store space is limited.  Over-allocation of stack space
+unnecessarily limits space available for code and data, while
+under-allocation results in runtime failures.  If given this option,
+@command{ld} will provide an estimate of maximum stack usage.
+@command{ld} does this by examining symbols in code sections to
+determine the extents of functions, and looking at function prologues
+for stack adjusting instructions.  A call-graph is created by looking
+for relocations on branch instructions.  The graph is then searched
+for the maximum stack usage path.  Note that this analysis does not
+find calls made via function pointers, and does not handle recursion
+and other cycles in the call graph.  Stack usage may be
+under-estimated if your code makes such calls.  Also, stack usage for
+dynamic allocation, e.g. alloca, will not be detected.  If a link map
+is requested, detailed information about each function's stack usage
+and calls will be given.
+
+@cindex SPU
+@kindex --emit-stack-syms
+@item --emit-stack-syms
+This option, if given along with @option{--stack-analysis} will result
+in @command{ld} emitting stack sizing symbols for each function.
+These take the form @code{__stack_<function_name>} for global
+functions, and @code{__stack_<number>_<function_name>} for static
+functions.  @code{<number>} is the section id in hex.  The value of
+such symbols is the stack requirement for the corresponding function.
+The symbol size will be zero, type @code{STT_NOTYPE}, binding
+@code{STB_LOCAL}, and section @code{SHN_ABS}.
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset TICOFF
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node TI COFF
+@section @command{ld}'s Support for Various TI COFF Versions
+@cindex TI COFF versions
+@kindex --format=@var{version}
+The @samp{--format} switch allows selection of one of the various
+TI COFF versions.  The latest of this writing is 2; versions 0 and 1 are
+also supported.  The TI COFF versions also vary in header byte-order
+format; @command{ld} will read any version or byte order, but the output
+header format depends on the default specified by the specific target.
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset WIN32
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node WIN32
+@section @command{ld} and WIN32 (cygwin/mingw)
+
+This section describes some of the win32 specific @command{ld} issues.
+See @ref{Options,,Command Line Options} for detailed description of the
+command line options mentioned here.
+
+@table @emph
+@cindex import libraries
+@item import libraries
+The standard Windows linker creates and uses so-called import
+libraries, which contains information for linking to dll's.  They are
+regular static archives and are handled as any other static
+archive.  The cygwin and mingw ports of @command{ld} have specific
+support for creating such libraries provided with the
+@samp{--out-implib} command line option.
+
+@item   exporting DLL symbols
+@cindex exporting DLL symbols
+The cygwin/mingw @command{ld} has several ways to export symbols for dll's.
+
+@table @emph
+@item   using auto-export functionality
+@cindex using auto-export functionality
+By default @command{ld} exports symbols with the auto-export functionality,
+which is controlled by the following command line options:
+
+@itemize
+@item --export-all-symbols   [This is the default]
+@item --exclude-symbols
+@item --exclude-libs
+@item --exclude-modules-for-implib
+@item --version-script
+@end itemize
+
+When auto-export is in operation, @command{ld} will export all the non-local
+(global and common) symbols it finds in a DLL, with the exception of a few
+symbols known to belong to the system's runtime and libraries.  As it will
+often not be desirable to export all of a DLL's symbols, which may include
+private functions that are not part of any public interface, the command-line
+options listed above may be used to filter symbols out from the list for
+exporting.  The @samp{--output-def} option can be used in order to see the
+final list of exported symbols with all exclusions taken into effect.
+
+If @samp{--export-all-symbols} is not given explicitly on the
+command line, then the default auto-export behavior will be @emph{disabled}
+if either of the following are true:
+
+@itemize
+@item A DEF file is used.
+@item Any symbol in any object file was marked with the __declspec(dllexport) attribute.
+@end itemize
+
+@item   using a DEF file
+@cindex using a DEF file
+Another way of exporting symbols is using a DEF file.  A DEF file is
+an ASCII file containing definitions of symbols which should be
+exported when a dll is created.  Usually it is named @samp{<dll
+name>.def} and is added as any other object file to the linker's
+command line.  The file's name must end in @samp{.def} or @samp{.DEF}.
+
+@example
+gcc -o <output> <objectfiles> <dll name>.def
+@end example
+
+Using a DEF file turns off the normal auto-export behavior, unless the
+@samp{--export-all-symbols} option is also used.
+
+Here is an example of a DEF file for a shared library called @samp{xyz.dll}:
+
+@example
+LIBRARY "xyz.dll" BASE=0x20000000
+
+EXPORTS
+foo
+bar
+_bar = bar
+another_foo = abc.dll.afoo
+var1 DATA
+doo = foo == foo2
+eoo DATA == var1
+@end example
+
+This example defines a DLL with a non-default base address and seven
+symbols in the export table. The third exported symbol @code{_bar} is an
+alias for the second. The fourth symbol, @code{another_foo} is resolved
+by "forwarding" to another module and treating it as an alias for
+@code{afoo} exported from the DLL @samp{abc.dll}. The final symbol
+@code{var1} is declared to be a data object. The @samp{doo} symbol in
+export library is an alias of @samp{foo}, which gets the string name
+in export table @samp{foo2}. The @samp{eoo} symbol is an data export
+symbol, which gets in export table the name @samp{var1}.
+
+The optional @code{LIBRARY <name>} command indicates the @emph{internal}
+name of the output DLL. If @samp{<name>} does not include a suffix,
+the default library suffix, @samp{.DLL} is appended.
+
+When the .DEF file is used to build an application, rather than a
+library, the @code{NAME <name>} command should be used instead of
+@code{LIBRARY}. If @samp{<name>} does not include a suffix, the default
+executable suffix, @samp{.EXE} is appended.
+
+With either @code{LIBRARY <name>} or @code{NAME <name>} the optional
+specification @code{BASE = <number>} may be used to specify a
+non-default base address for the image.
+
+If neither @code{LIBRARY <name>} nor  @code{NAME <name>} is specified,
+or they specify an empty string, the internal name is the same as the
+filename specified on the command line.
+
+The complete specification of an export symbol is:
+
+@example
+EXPORTS
+  ( (  ( <name1> [ = <name2> ] )
+     | ( <name1> = <module-name> . <external-name>))
+  [ @@ <integer> ] [NONAME] [DATA] [CONSTANT] [PRIVATE] [== <name3>] ) *
+@end example
+
+Declares @samp{<name1>} as an exported symbol from the DLL, or declares
+@samp{<name1>} as an exported alias for @samp{<name2>}; or declares
+@samp{<name1>} as a "forward" alias for the symbol
+@samp{<external-name>} in the DLL @samp{<module-name>}.
+Optionally, the symbol may be exported by the specified ordinal
+@samp{<integer>} alias. The optional @samp{<name3>} is the to be used
+string in import/export table for the symbol.
+
+The optional keywords that follow the declaration indicate:
+
+@code{NONAME}: Do not put the symbol name in the DLL's export table.  It
+will still be exported by its ordinal alias (either the value specified
+by the .def specification or, otherwise, the value assigned by the
+linker). The symbol name, however, does remain visible in the import
+library (if any), unless @code{PRIVATE} is also specified.
+
+@code{DATA}: The symbol is a variable or object, rather than a function.
+The import lib will export only an indirect reference to @code{foo} as
+the symbol @code{_imp__foo} (ie, @code{foo} must be resolved as
+@code{*_imp__foo}).
+
+@code{CONSTANT}: Like @code{DATA}, but put the undecorated @code{foo} as
+well as @code{_imp__foo} into the import library. Both refer to the
+read-only import address table's pointer to the variable, not to the
+variable itself. This can be dangerous. If the user code fails to add
+the @code{dllimport} attribute and also fails to explicitly add the
+extra indirection that the use of the attribute enforces, the
+application will behave unexpectedly.
+
+@code{PRIVATE}: Put the symbol in the DLL's export table, but do not put
+it into the static import library used to resolve imports at link time. The
+symbol can still be imported using the @code{LoadLibrary/GetProcAddress}
+API at runtime or by using the GNU ld extension of linking directly to
+the DLL without an import library.
+
+See ld/deffilep.y in the binutils sources for the full specification of
+other DEF file statements
+
+@cindex creating a DEF file
+While linking a shared dll, @command{ld} is able to create a DEF file
+with the @samp{--output-def <file>} command line option.
+
+@item   Using decorations
+@cindex Using decorations
+Another way of marking symbols for export is to modify the source code
+itself, so that when building the DLL each symbol to be exported is
+declared as:
+
+@example
+__declspec(dllexport) int a_variable
+__declspec(dllexport) void a_function(int with_args)
+@end example
+
+All such symbols will be exported from the DLL.  If, however,
+any of the object files in the DLL contain symbols decorated in
+this way, then the normal auto-export behavior is disabled, unless
+the @samp{--export-all-symbols} option is also used.
+
+Note that object files that wish to access these symbols must @emph{not}
+decorate them with dllexport.  Instead, they should use dllimport,
+instead:
+
+@example
+__declspec(dllimport) int a_variable
+__declspec(dllimport) void a_function(int with_args)
+@end example
+
+This complicates the structure of library header files, because
+when included by the library itself the header must declare the
+variables and functions as dllexport, but when included by client
+code the header must declare them as dllimport.  There are a number
+of idioms that are typically used to do this; often client code can
+omit the __declspec() declaration completely.  See
+@samp{--enable-auto-import} and @samp{automatic data imports} for more
+information.
+@end table
+
+@cindex automatic data imports
+@item automatic data imports
+The standard Windows dll format supports data imports from dlls only
+by adding special decorations (dllimport/dllexport), which let the
+compiler produce specific assembler instructions to deal with this
+issue.  This increases the effort necessary to port existing Un*x
+code to these platforms, especially for large
+c++ libraries and applications.  The auto-import feature, which was
+initially provided by Paul Sokolovsky, allows one to omit the
+decorations to achieve a behavior that conforms to that on POSIX/Un*x
+platforms. This feature is enabled with the @samp{--enable-auto-import}
+command-line option, although it is enabled by default on cygwin/mingw.
+The @samp{--enable-auto-import} option itself now serves mainly to
+suppress any warnings that are ordinarily emitted when linked objects
+trigger the feature's use.
+
+auto-import of variables does not always work flawlessly without
+additional assistance.  Sometimes, you will see this message
+
+"variable '<var>' can't be auto-imported. Please read the
+documentation for ld's @code{--enable-auto-import} for details."
+
+The @samp{--enable-auto-import} documentation explains why this error
+occurs, and several methods that can be used to overcome this difficulty.
+One of these methods is the @emph{runtime pseudo-relocs} feature, described
+below.
+
+@cindex runtime pseudo-relocation
+For complex variables imported from DLLs (such as structs or classes),
+object files typically contain a base address for the variable and an
+offset (@emph{addend}) within the variable--to specify a particular
+field or public member, for instance.  Unfortunately, the runtime loader used
+in win32 environments is incapable of fixing these references at runtime
+without the additional information supplied by dllimport/dllexport decorations.
+The standard auto-import feature described above is unable to resolve these
+references.
+
+The @samp{--enable-runtime-pseudo-relocs} switch allows these references to
+be resolved without error, while leaving the task of adjusting the references
+themselves (with their non-zero addends) to specialized code provided by the
+runtime environment.  Recent versions of the cygwin and mingw environments and
+compilers provide this runtime support; older versions do not.  However, the
+support is only necessary on the developer's platform; the compiled result will
+run without error on an older system.
+
+@samp{--enable-runtime-pseudo-relocs} is not the default; it must be explicitly
+enabled as needed.
+
+@cindex direct linking to a dll
+@item direct linking to a dll
+The cygwin/mingw ports of @command{ld} support the direct linking,
+including data symbols, to a dll without the usage of any import
+libraries.  This is much faster and uses much less memory than does the
+traditional import library method, especially when linking large
+libraries or applications.  When @command{ld} creates an import lib, each
+function or variable exported from the dll is stored in its own bfd, even
+though a single bfd could contain many exports.  The overhead involved in
+storing, loading, and processing so many bfd's is quite large, and explains the
+tremendous time, memory, and storage needed to link against particularly
+large or complex libraries when using import libs.
+
+Linking directly to a dll uses no extra command-line switches other than
+@samp{-L} and @samp{-l}, because @command{ld} already searches for a number
+of names to match each library.  All that is needed from the developer's
+perspective is an understanding of this search, in order to force ld to
+select the dll instead of an import library.
+
+
+For instance, when ld is called with the argument @samp{-lxxx} it will attempt
+to find, in the first directory of its search path,
+
+@example
+libxxx.dll.a
+xxx.dll.a
+libxxx.a
+xxx.lib
+libxxx.lib
+cygxxx.dll (*)
+libxxx.dll
+xxx.dll
+@end example
+
+before moving on to the next directory in the search path.
+
+(*) Actually, this is not @samp{cygxxx.dll} but in fact is @samp{<prefix>xxx.dll},
+where @samp{<prefix>} is set by the @command{ld} option
+@samp{--dll-search-prefix=<prefix>}. In the case of cygwin, the standard gcc spec
+file includes @samp{--dll-search-prefix=cyg}, so in effect we actually search for
+@samp{cygxxx.dll}.
+
+Other win32-based unix environments, such as mingw or pw32, may use other
+@samp{<prefix>}es, although at present only cygwin makes use of this feature.  It
+was originally intended to help avoid name conflicts among dll's built for the
+various win32/un*x environments, so that (for example) two versions of a zlib dll
+could coexist on the same machine.
+
+The generic cygwin/mingw path layout uses a @samp{bin} directory for
+applications and dll's and a @samp{lib} directory for the import
+libraries (using cygwin nomenclature):
+
+@example
+bin/
+	cygxxx.dll
+lib/
+	libxxx.dll.a   (in case of dll's)
+	libxxx.a       (in case of static archive)
+@end example
+
+Linking directly to a dll without using the import library can be
+done two ways:
+
+1. Use the dll directly by adding the @samp{bin} path to the link line
+@example
+gcc -Wl,-verbose  -o a.exe -L../bin/ -lxxx
+@end example
+
+However, as the dll's often have version numbers appended to their names
+(@samp{cygncurses-5.dll}) this will often fail, unless one specifies
+@samp{-L../bin -lncurses-5} to include the version.  Import libs are generally
+not versioned, and do not have this difficulty.
+
+2. Create a symbolic link from the dll to a file in the @samp{lib}
+directory according to the above mentioned search pattern.  This
+should be used to avoid unwanted changes in the tools needed for
+making the app/dll.
+
+@example
+ln -s bin/cygxxx.dll lib/[cyg|lib|]xxx.dll[.a]
+@end example
+
+Then you can link without any make environment changes.
+
+@example
+gcc -Wl,-verbose  -o a.exe -L../lib/ -lxxx
+@end example
+
+This technique also avoids the version number problems, because the following is
+perfectly legal
+
+@example
+bin/
+	cygxxx-5.dll
+lib/
+	libxxx.dll.a -> ../bin/cygxxx-5.dll
+@end example
+
+Linking directly to a dll without using an import lib will work
+even when auto-import features are exercised, and even when
+@samp{--enable-runtime-pseudo-relocs} is used.
+
+Given the improvements in speed and memory usage, one might justifiably
+wonder why import libraries are used at all.  There are three reasons:
+
+1. Until recently, the link-directly-to-dll functionality did @emph{not}
+work with auto-imported data.
+
+2. Sometimes it is necessary to include pure static objects within the
+import library (which otherwise contains only bfd's for indirection
+symbols that point to the exports of a dll).  Again, the import lib
+for the cygwin kernel makes use of this ability, and it is not
+possible to do this without an import lib.
+
+3. Symbol aliases can only be resolved using an import lib.  This is
+critical when linking against OS-supplied dll's (eg, the win32 API)
+in which symbols are usually exported as undecorated aliases of their
+stdcall-decorated assembly names.
+
+So, import libs are not going away.  But the ability to replace
+true import libs with a simple symbolic link to (or a copy of)
+a dll, in many cases, is a useful addition to the suite of tools
+binutils makes available to the win32 developer.  Given the
+massive improvements in memory requirements during linking, storage
+requirements, and linking speed, we expect that many developers
+will soon begin to use this feature whenever possible.
+
+@item symbol aliasing
+@table @emph
+@item adding additional names
+Sometimes, it is useful to export symbols with additional names.
+A symbol @samp{foo} will be exported as @samp{foo}, but it can also be
+exported as @samp{_foo} by using special directives in the DEF file
+when creating the dll.  This will affect also the optional created
+import library.  Consider the following DEF file:
+
+@example
+LIBRARY "xyz.dll" BASE=0x61000000
+
+EXPORTS
+foo
+_foo = foo
+@end example
+
+The line @samp{_foo = foo} maps the symbol @samp{foo} to @samp{_foo}.
+
+Another method for creating a symbol alias is to create it in the
+source code using the "weak" attribute:
+
+@example
+void foo () @{ /* Do something.  */; @}
+void _foo () __attribute__ ((weak, alias ("foo")));
+@end example
+
+See the gcc manual for more information about attributes and weak
+symbols.
+
+@item renaming symbols
+Sometimes it is useful to rename exports.  For instance, the cygwin
+kernel does this regularly.  A symbol @samp{_foo} can be exported as
+@samp{foo} but not as @samp{_foo} by using special directives in the
+DEF file. (This will also affect the import library, if it is
+created).  In the following example:
+
+@example
+LIBRARY "xyz.dll" BASE=0x61000000
+
+EXPORTS
+_foo = foo
+@end example
+
+The line @samp{_foo = foo} maps the exported symbol @samp{foo} to
+@samp{_foo}.
+@end table
+
+Note: using a DEF file disables the default auto-export behavior,
+unless the @samp{--export-all-symbols} command line option is used.
+If, however, you are trying to rename symbols, then you should list
+@emph{all} desired exports in the DEF file, including the symbols
+that are not being renamed, and do @emph{not} use the
+@samp{--export-all-symbols} option.  If you list only the
+renamed symbols in the DEF file, and use @samp{--export-all-symbols}
+to handle the other symbols, then the both the new names @emph{and}
+the original names for the renamed symbols will be exported.
+In effect, you'd be aliasing those symbols, not renaming them,
+which is probably not what you wanted.
+
+@cindex weak externals
+@item weak externals
+The Windows object format, PE, specifies a form of weak symbols called
+weak externals.  When a weak symbol is linked and the symbol is not
+defined, the weak symbol becomes an alias for some other symbol.  There
+are three variants of weak externals:
+@itemize
+@item Definition is searched for in objects and libraries, historically
+called lazy externals.
+@item Definition is searched for only in other objects, not in libraries.
+This form is not presently implemented.
+@item No search; the symbol is an alias.  This form is not presently
+implemented.
+@end itemize
+As a GNU extension, weak symbols that do not specify an alternate symbol
+are supported.  If the symbol is undefined when linking, the symbol
+uses a default value.
+
+@cindex aligned common symbols
+@item aligned common symbols
+As a GNU extension to the PE file format, it is possible to specify the
+desired alignment for a common symbol.  This information is conveyed from
+the assembler or compiler to the linker by means of GNU-specific commands
+carried in the object file's @samp{.drectve} section, which are recognized
+by @command{ld} and respected when laying out the common symbols.  Native
+tools will be able to process object files employing this GNU extension,
+but will fail to respect the alignment instructions, and may issue noisy
+warnings about unknown linker directives.
+
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifset XTENSA
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@raisesections
+@end ifclear
+
+@node Xtensa
+@section @code{ld} and Xtensa Processors
+
+@cindex Xtensa processors
+The default @command{ld} behavior for Xtensa processors is to interpret
+@code{SECTIONS} commands so that lists of explicitly named sections in a
+specification with a wildcard file will be interleaved when necessary to
+keep literal pools within the range of PC-relative load offsets.  For
+example, with the command:
+
+@smallexample
+SECTIONS
+@{
+  .text : @{
+    *(.literal .text)
+  @}
+@}
+@end smallexample
+
+@noindent
+@command{ld} may interleave some of the @code{.literal}
+and @code{.text} sections from different object files to ensure that the
+literal pools are within the range of PC-relative load offsets.  A valid
+interleaving might place the @code{.literal} sections from an initial
+group of files followed by the @code{.text} sections of that group of
+files.  Then, the @code{.literal} sections from the rest of the files
+and the @code{.text} sections from the rest of the files would follow.
+
+@cindex @option{--relax} on Xtensa
+@cindex relaxing on Xtensa
+Relaxation is enabled by default for the Xtensa version of @command{ld} and
+provides two important link-time optimizations.  The first optimization
+is to combine identical literal values to reduce code size.  A redundant
+literal will be removed and all the @code{L32R} instructions that use it
+will be changed to reference an identical literal, as long as the
+location of the replacement literal is within the offset range of all
+the @code{L32R} instructions.  The second optimization is to remove
+unnecessary overhead from assembler-generated ``longcall'' sequences of
+@code{L32R}/@code{CALLX@var{n}} when the target functions are within
+range of direct @code{CALL@var{n}} instructions.
+
+For each of these cases where an indirect call sequence can be optimized
+to a direct call, the linker will change the @code{CALLX@var{n}}
+instruction to a @code{CALL@var{n}} instruction, remove the @code{L32R}
+instruction, and remove the literal referenced by the @code{L32R}
+instruction if it is not used for anything else.  Removing the
+@code{L32R} instruction always reduces code size but can potentially
+hurt performance by changing the alignment of subsequent branch targets.
+By default, the linker will always preserve alignments, either by
+switching some instructions between 24-bit encodings and the equivalent
+density instructions or by inserting a no-op in place of the @code{L32R}
+instruction that was removed.  If code size is more important than
+performance, the @option{--size-opt} option can be used to prevent the
+linker from widening density instructions or inserting no-ops, except in
+a few cases where no-ops are required for correctness.
+
+The following Xtensa-specific command-line options can be used to
+control the linker:
+
+@cindex Xtensa options
+@table @option
+@item --size-opt
+When optimizing indirect calls to direct calls, optimize for code size
+more than performance.  With this option, the linker will not insert
+no-ops or widen density instructions to preserve branch target
+alignment.  There may still be some cases where no-ops are required to
+preserve the correctness of the code.
+@end table
+
+@ifclear GENERIC
+@lowersections
+@end ifclear
+@end ifset
+
+@ifclear SingleFormat
+@node BFD
+@chapter BFD
+
+@cindex back end
+@cindex object file management
+@cindex object formats available
+@kindex objdump -i
+The linker accesses object and archive files using the BFD libraries.
+These libraries allow the linker to use the same routines to operate on
+object files whatever the object file format.  A different object file
+format can be supported simply by creating a new BFD back end and adding
+it to the library.  To conserve runtime memory, however, the linker and
+associated tools are usually configured to support only a subset of the
+object file formats available.  You can use @code{objdump -i}
+(@pxref{objdump,,objdump,binutils.info,The GNU Binary Utilities}) to
+list all the formats available for your configuration.
+
+@cindex BFD requirements
+@cindex requirements for BFD
+As with most implementations, BFD is a compromise between
+several conflicting requirements. The major factor influencing
+BFD design was efficiency: any time used converting between
+formats is time which would not have been spent had BFD not
+been involved. This is partly offset by abstraction payback; since
+BFD simplifies applications and back ends, more time and care
+may be spent optimizing algorithms for a greater speed.
+
+One minor artifact of the BFD solution which you should bear in
+mind is the potential for information loss.  There are two places where
+useful information can be lost using the BFD mechanism: during
+conversion and during output. @xref{BFD information loss}.
+
+@menu
+* BFD outline::                 How it works: an outline of BFD
+@end menu
+
+@node BFD outline
+@section How It Works: An Outline of BFD
+@cindex opening object files
+@include bfdsumm.texi
+@end ifclear
+
+@node Reporting Bugs
+@chapter Reporting Bugs
+@cindex bugs in @command{ld}
+@cindex reporting bugs in @command{ld}
+
+Your bug reports play an essential role in making @command{ld} reliable.
+
+Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or
+it may not.  But in any case the principal function of a bug report is
+to help the entire community by making the next version of @command{ld}
+work better.  Bug reports are your contribution to the maintenance of
+@command{ld}.
+
+In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
+information that enables us to fix the bug.
+
+@menu
+* Bug Criteria::                Have you found a bug?
+* Bug Reporting::               How to report bugs
+@end menu
+
+@node Bug Criteria
+@section Have You Found a Bug?
+@cindex bug criteria
+
+If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@cindex fatal signal
+@cindex linker crash
+@cindex crash of linker
+@item
+If the linker gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
+@command{ld} bug.  Reliable linkers never crash.
+
+@cindex error on valid input
+@item
+If @command{ld} produces an error message for valid input, that is a bug.
+
+@cindex invalid input
+@item
+If @command{ld} does not produce an error message for invalid input, that
+may be a bug.  In the general case, the linker can not verify that
+object files are correct.
+
+@item
+If you are an experienced user of linkers, your suggestions for
+improvement of @command{ld} are welcome in any case.
+@end itemize
+
+@node Bug Reporting
+@section How to Report Bugs
+@cindex bug reports
+@cindex @command{ld} bugs, reporting
+
+A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu}
+products.  If you obtained @command{ld} from a support organization, we
+recommend you contact that organization first.
+
+You can find contact information for many support companies and
+individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
+distribution.
+
+@ifset BUGURL
+Otherwise, send bug reports for @command{ld} to
+@value{BUGURL}.
+@end ifset
+
+The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
+@strong{report all the facts}.  If you are not sure whether to state a
+fact or leave it out, state it!
+
+Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
+problem and assume that some details do not matter.  Thus, you might
+assume that the name of a symbol you use in an example does not
+matter.  Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure.  Perhaps
+the bug is a stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the
+location where that name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name
+were different, the contents of that location would fool the linker
+into doing the right thing despite the bug.  Play it safe and give a
+specific, complete example.  That is the easiest thing for you to do,
+and the most helpful.
+
+Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix
+the bug if it is new to us.  Therefore, always write your bug reports
+on the assumption that the bug has not been reported previously.
+
+Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
+bell?''  This cannot help us fix a bug, so it is basically useless.  We
+respond by asking for enough details to enable us to investigate.
+You might as well expedite matters by sending them to begin with.
+
+To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+The version of @command{ld}.  @command{ld} announces it if you start it with
+the @samp{--version} argument.
+
+Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
+the bug in the current version of @command{ld}.
+
+@item
+Any patches you may have applied to the @command{ld} source, including any
+patches made to the @code{BFD} library.
+
+@item
+The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
+version number.
+
+@item
+What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @command{ld}---e.g.
+``@code{gcc-2.7}''.
+
+@item
+The command arguments you gave the linker to link your example and
+observe the bug.  To guarantee you will not omit something important,
+list them all.  A copy of the Makefile (or the output from make) is
+sufficient.
+
+If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
+and then we might not encounter the bug.
+
+@item
+A complete input file, or set of input files, that will reproduce the
+bug.  It is generally most helpful to send the actual object files
+provided that they are reasonably small.  Say no more than 10K.  For
+bigger files you can either make them available by FTP or HTTP or else
+state that you are willing to send the object file(s) to whomever
+requests them.  (Note - your email will be going to a mailing list, so
+we do not want to clog it up with large attachments).  But small
+attachments are best.
+
+If the source files were assembled using @code{gas} or compiled using
+@code{gcc}, then it may be OK to send the source files rather than the
+object files.  In this case, be sure to say exactly what version of
+@code{gas} or @code{gcc} was used to produce the object files.  Also say
+how @code{gas} or @code{gcc} were configured.
+
+@item
+A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
+incorrect.  For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
+
+Of course, if the bug is that @command{ld} gets a fatal signal, then we
+will certainly notice it.  But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
+not notice unless it is glaringly wrong.  You might as well not give us
+a chance to make a mistake.
+
+Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
+say so explicitly.  Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
+copy of @command{ld} is out of sync, or you have encountered a bug in the
+C library on your system.  (This has happened!)  Your copy might crash
+and ours would not.  If you told us to expect a crash, then when ours
+fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for us.  If
+you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able to draw
+any conclusion from our observations.
+
+@item
+If you wish to suggest changes to the @command{ld} source, send us context
+diffs, as generated by @code{diff} with the @samp{-u}, @samp{-c}, or
+@samp{-p} option.  Always send diffs from the old file to the new file.
+If you even discuss something in the @command{ld} source, refer to it by
+context, not by line number.
+
+The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
+sources.  Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
+@end itemize
+
+Here are some things that are not necessary:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+A description of the envelope of the bug.
+
+Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
+which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
+changes will not affect it.
+
+This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
+will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
+with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
+We recommend that you save your time for something else.
+
+Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
+of the original one, that is a convenience for us.  Errors in the
+output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
+less time, and so on.
+
+However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
+report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
+
+@item
+A patch for the bug.
+
+A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one.  But do not omit
+the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
+a patch is all we need.  We might see problems with your patch and decide
+to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
+
+Sometimes with a program as complicated as @command{ld} it is very hard to
+construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
+through the code.  If you do not send us the example, we will not be
+able to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is
+fixed.
+
+And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
+patch should be an improvement, we will not install it.  A test case will
+help us to understand.
+
+@item
+A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
+
+Such guesses are usually wrong.  Even we cannot guess right about such
+things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
+@end itemize
+
+@node MRI
+@appendix MRI Compatible Script Files
+@cindex MRI compatibility
+To aid users making the transition to @sc{gnu} @command{ld} from the MRI
+linker, @command{ld} can use MRI compatible linker scripts as an
+alternative to the more general-purpose linker scripting language
+described in @ref{Scripts}.  MRI compatible linker scripts have a much
+simpler command set than the scripting language otherwise used with
+@command{ld}.  @sc{gnu} @command{ld} supports the most commonly used MRI
+linker commands; these commands are described here.
+
+In general, MRI scripts aren't of much use with the @code{a.out} object
+file format, since it only has three sections and MRI scripts lack some
+features to make use of them.
+
+You can specify a file containing an MRI-compatible script using the
+@samp{-c} command-line option.
+
+Each command in an MRI-compatible script occupies its own line; each
+command line starts with the keyword that identifies the command (though
+blank lines are also allowed for punctuation).  If a line of an
+MRI-compatible script begins with an unrecognized keyword, @command{ld}
+issues a warning message, but continues processing the script.
+
+Lines beginning with @samp{*} are comments.
+
+You can write these commands using all upper-case letters, or all
+lower case; for example, @samp{chip} is the same as @samp{CHIP}.
+The following list shows only the upper-case form of each command.
+
+@table @code
+@cindex @code{ABSOLUTE} (MRI)
+@item ABSOLUTE @var{secname}
+@itemx ABSOLUTE @var{secname}, @var{secname}, @dots{} @var{secname}
+Normally, @command{ld} includes in the output file all sections from all
+the input files.  However, in an MRI-compatible script, you can use the
+@code{ABSOLUTE} command to restrict the sections that will be present in
+your output program.  If the @code{ABSOLUTE} command is used at all in a
+script, then only the sections named explicitly in @code{ABSOLUTE}
+commands will appear in the linker output.  You can still use other
+input sections (whatever you select on the command line, or using
+@code{LOAD}) to resolve addresses in the output file.
+
+@cindex @code{ALIAS} (MRI)
+@item ALIAS @var{out-secname}, @var{in-secname}
+Use this command to place the data from input section @var{in-secname}
+in a section called @var{out-secname} in the linker output file.
+
+@var{in-secname} may be an integer.
+
+@cindex @code{ALIGN} (MRI)
+@item ALIGN @var{secname} = @var{expression}
+Align the section called @var{secname} to @var{expression}.  The
+@var{expression} should be a power of two.
+
+@cindex @code{BASE} (MRI)
+@item BASE @var{expression}
+Use the value of @var{expression} as the lowest address (other than
+absolute addresses) in the output file.
+
+@cindex @code{CHIP} (MRI)
+@item CHIP @var{expression}
+@itemx CHIP @var{expression}, @var{expression}
+This command does nothing; it is accepted only for compatibility.
+
+@cindex @code{END} (MRI)
+@item END
+This command does nothing whatever; it's only accepted for compatibility.
+
+@cindex @code{FORMAT} (MRI)
+@item FORMAT @var{output-format}
+Similar to the @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT} command in the more general linker
+language, but restricted to S-records, if @var{output-format} is @samp{S}
+
+@cindex @code{LIST} (MRI)
+@item LIST @var{anything}@dots{}
+Print (to the standard output file) a link map, as produced by the
+@command{ld} command-line option @samp{-M}.
+
+The keyword @code{LIST} may be followed by anything on the
+same line, with no change in its effect.
+
+@cindex @code{LOAD} (MRI)
+@item LOAD @var{filename}
+@itemx LOAD @var{filename}, @var{filename}, @dots{} @var{filename}
+Include one or more object file @var{filename} in the link; this has the
+same effect as specifying @var{filename} directly on the @command{ld}
+command line.
+
+@cindex @code{NAME} (MRI)
+@item NAME @var{output-name}
+@var{output-name} is the name for the program produced by @command{ld}; the
+MRI-compatible command @code{NAME} is equivalent to the command-line
+option @samp{-o} or the general script language command @code{OUTPUT}.
+
+@cindex @code{ORDER} (MRI)
+@item ORDER @var{secname}, @var{secname}, @dots{} @var{secname}
+@itemx ORDER @var{secname} @var{secname} @var{secname}
+Normally, @command{ld} orders the sections in its output file in the
+order in which they first appear in the input files.  In an MRI-compatible
+script, you can override this ordering with the @code{ORDER} command.  The
+sections you list with @code{ORDER} will appear first in your output
+file, in the order specified.
+
+@cindex @code{PUBLIC} (MRI)
+@item PUBLIC @var{name}=@var{expression}
+@itemx PUBLIC @var{name},@var{expression}
+@itemx PUBLIC @var{name} @var{expression}
+Supply a value (@var{expression}) for external symbol
+@var{name} used in the linker input files.
+
+@cindex @code{SECT} (MRI)
+@item SECT @var{secname}, @var{expression}
+@itemx SECT @var{secname}=@var{expression}
+@itemx SECT @var{secname} @var{expression}
+You can use any of these three forms of the @code{SECT} command to
+specify the start address (@var{expression}) for section @var{secname}.
+If you have more than one @code{SECT} statement for the same
+@var{secname}, only the @emph{first} sets the start address.
+@end table
+
+@node GNU Free Documentation License
+@appendix GNU Free Documentation License
+@include fdl.texi
+
+@node LD Index
+@unnumbered LD Index
+
+@printindex cp
+
+@tex
+% I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo.  In the
+% meantime:
+\long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
+\centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
+\centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
+\centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
+\centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
+\centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/} and}
+\centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
+\centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
+\page\colophon
+% Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 28mar91.
+@end tex
+
+@bye