HP-UX Reference (11i v2 04/09) - 3 Library Functions N-Z (vol 7)

n
nlist(3C) nlist(3C)
(For PA-RISC Systems)
NAME
nlist( ), nlist64() - get entries from name list
SYNOPSIS
nlist()
cc [flag]... cfile ...
#include <nlist.h>
int nlist(const char *file_name, struct nlist *nl);
nlist64()
cc [flag]... cfile ...
-lelf [library]...
#include <nlist.h>
int nlist64(const char* file_name, struct nlist64 *nl);
Remarks
The use of symbol table type and value information is inherently non-portable. Use of
nlist() or
nlist64() should reduce the effort required to port a program that uses such information, but complete
portability across all HP-UX implementations cannot be expected.
DESCRIPTION
nlist() and nlist64() have basically the same functionality except
nlist64() uses a new nlist
structure,
nlist64, and can process SOM or ELF files. nlist() can only process SOM files and uses
the nlist structure.
The
nlist function examines the name list in the executable file whose name is pointed to by file_name,
and selectively extracts a list of values and puts them in the array of
nlist/nlist64
structures
pointed to by nl. The array of
nlist/nlist64
structures initially contains only the names of vari-
ables. Once the
nlist function has been called, the variable names are augmented with symbol infor-
mation. The list is terminated by a null name, which consists of a null string in the variable-name posi-
tion of the structure. The name list of the file is searched for each variable name. If the name is found,
the symbol’s type, scope, and value in the file is inserted into the name list structure. For
nlist64(),if
the file searched is an ELF file, the section index is also inserted. For
nlist() and SOM files, the sub-
space index is inserted. On wide mode systems, the symbol value is 64-bit. If the file searched is a SOM
file, then the value field is zero padded. If the name is not found, the fields in the name list structure are
set to 0. The structures
nlist and nlist64 are defined in the include file
<nlist.h>. See a.out(4)
and nlist(4) for further description of the symbol table structure.
The file must have the organization and symbol table described for an
a.out file in a.out (4). The infor-
mation is extracted from the symbol table used by the linker, ld(1).
On machines that have such a file, this subroutine is useful for examining the system name list kept in
file
/stand/vmunix. In this way programs can obtain system addresses that are up to date.
RETURN VALUE
All nlist structure fields are set to 0 if the file cannot be found or if it is not a valid object file containing a
linker symbol table.
nlist() returns -1 upon error; otherwise it returns 0.
WARNINGS
The
<nlist.h> header file is automatically included by <a.out.h> for compatibility. However,
including <a.out.h> is discouraged if the only information needed from <a.out.h> is for use by
nlist().If<a.out.h> is included, the line #undef n_name may need to follow it.
SEE ALSO
a.out(4), elf(3E), nlist(4).
STANDARDS CONFORMANCE
nlist(): SVID2, SVID3
HP-UX 11i Version 2: September 2004 1 Hewlett-Packard Company Section 3689