HP-UX 11i Version 1.6 Release Notes

Programming
Link Editor (ld)
Chapter 7
99
Large section table support implements the gABI standard for ELF object files
format with more than 64K number of sections. When the number of sections
exceeds the 64K limit, the compiler/linker automatically stores this information in a
larger field in the ELF file, and a new section is created to store the section header
index for symbols in the symbol table. There is no user option for this functionality.
• Instrumenter (option: +instrumenter)
The +instrumenter option enables user to invoke the static instrumenter sin
instead.
• Selective optimization by percent (option: +Oselectivepercent n)
The +Oselectivepercent option instructs the inter procedural optimizer driver to
pass the first n percent of the object files to the high level optimizer for inter
procedural optimizations such as inlining. This option is designed to work at
optimization level 4 (+O4) in the presence of dynamic profiling.
• Instrumenter vs. Caliper (option: -I )
When linking an executable with -I option, the default instrumenter is changed to
caliper. When the program is executed, the dynamic loader automatically invokes
/opt/langtools/bin/caliper for instrumentation. If the user wishes to use static
instrumenter instead, the +instrumenter sin option should be used.
Impact
No impact identified.
Compatibility
ELF object files with more than 64K number of sections need to be recompile.
Performance
There is a minimum of 30% improvement in link time performance.
Obsolescence
Not applicable.
Documentation
The ld (1) manpage is also updated to include the new options. Please refer to the revised
ld (1) manpage for the latest information on linker.
Machines Affected
IPF machines running HP-UX 11i v1.6.