[LLVMdev] Implementation of C++ dynamic initialization (compiler output and linking) (original) (raw)

Sanee Berlow nepnepparadise at gmail.com
Sun Jul 5 09:53:20 PDT 2015

I have a few general questions about the implementation of a C++ linker feature and I noticed that there is a linker (the lld linker) being worked on as part of the LLVM project. I'm hoping that there is therefore someone knowledgeable about linkers who is willing to spare a few moments to help me out.

I'm a CS student working on a small linker for C++ programs, mostly for self-learning purposes. I've hit a feature I'm having difficulty puzzling out and I can't find any information about it on the internet.

I've put the full question here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/31137260/implementation-of-dynamic-initialization-for-global-variables-and-static-member

To summarize the problem, I would like to know:

What information (sections, symbols) does the compiler place into a generated object file relating to dynamic initialization of global variables and static member variables for the linker to use?

What information does the linker place into the final linked module during the linking process so that the OS module loader is able to correctly initialize all variables (including dynamically initialized global/static member variables that make calls to functions as part of initialization)?

I'm happy to know this information as it relates specifically to clang's output (in MSVC mode or GCC compliant mode) since clang is my primary compiler.

I would greatly appreciate any help I'm given with this.

Thanks a lot for your time, Sanee

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