Re: [xml] Generating a correct xml2-config for use with --libs

[Sander Vesik <Sander Vesik sun com>]

On Thu, 13 Jun 2002, Gary Pennington wrote:

> I didn't think this was Solaris specific...
>
> An application need only link against libraries it explicitly uses. If 
> foo uses networking code, then it should link with the appropriate 
> networking libraries. If however, foo's only "use" of networking is 
> performed by libxml2, then it is libxml2 which needs to link with the 
> networking libraries and not foo.
>
> So, the patch I provided removes unneccessary dependencies on libraries 
> that applications, such as foo, don't need.
>
> If you are saying that Linux (I presume you are talking about Linux) 
> requires all libraries to be specified (even libraries that a dependant 
> of a dependant of a dependant, etc...) to the linker, then I am really 
> surprised. That is the case with static libraries (and ordering is 
> important); but not with shared objects. That's the job of the linker.

There are a number of "defective" ld.so-s that don't correctly support
shared library dependnencies, the result being that linking an so-lib
against other libs is a no-op and the program needs to be linked against
all the shared libraries it depends on and all of their dependnencies. 

I do think gnu binutils have had that bug fixed for some time now.

> Gary

        Sander

        you'll rescue me right?
        in the exact same way that they never did
        i'll be happy right?
        when your healing powers kick in