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
`etext
'. However, ANSI C requires that the user be able to use
`etext
' as a function name without encountering an error. The
PROVIDE
keyword may be used to define a symbol, such as
`etext
', only if it is referenced but not defined. The syntax is
PROVIDE(symbol = expression)
.
Here is an example of using PROVIDE
to define `etext
':
SECTIONS { .text : { *(.text) _etext = .; PROVIDE(etext = .); } }
In this example, if the program defines `_etext
' (with a leading
underscore), the linker will give a multiple definition error. If, on
the other hand, the program defines `etext
' (with no leading
underscore), the linker will silently use the definition in the program.
If the program references `etext
' but does not define it, the
linker will use the definition in the linker script.
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