libtool

generic library support script that hides the complexity of using shared

TLDR

Compile source to libtool object

$ libtool compile gcc -c [source.c] -o [source.lo]

Link to create library

$ libtool link gcc -o [library.lo] [source.lo]

Execute program with library path

$ libtool execute gdb [path/to/program]

Install shared library

$ libtool install cp [library.la] [install_dir]

Finish library installation

$ libtool finish [install_dir]

Uninstall library

$ libtool uninstall [library.la]

Clean uninstalled files

$ libtool clean rm [source.lo] [library.la]

libtool is a generic library support script that hides the complexity of using shared libraries behind a consistent, portable interface. It handles platform-specific compilation, linking, and installation of shared libraries.

PARAMETERS

compile, c

Compile source files into libtool objects (.lo)

link, l

Create libraries or executables

execute, e

Execute program with correct library path

install, i

Install libraries or executables

finish, f

Complete installation of libtool libraries

uninstall, u

Delete installed libraries

clean, cl

Delete uninstalled libraries

INSTALL

sudo apt install libtool-bin

sudo dnf install libtool

sudo pacman -S libtool

sudo apk add libtool

sudo zypper install libtool

brew install libtool

nix profile install nixpkgs#libtool

CAVEATS

Libtool objects (.lo) and archives (.la) are wrappers containing metadata. Actual compiled files are in `.libs/` subdirectory.

HISTORY

Created by Gordon Matzigkeit in 1996 as part of the GNU project to simplify portable library creation across Unix-like systems.