This option is a subset of -Bsymbolic-functions. It applies to STB_GLOBAL
STT_FUNC definitions.
The address of a vague linkage function (STB_WEAK STT_FUNC, e.g. an inline
function, a template instantiation) seen by a -Bsymbolic-functions linked
shared object may be different from the address seen from outside the shared
object. Such cases are uncommon. (ELF/Mach-O programs may use
-fvisibility-inlines-hidden to break such pointer equality. On Windows,
correct dllexport and dllimport are needed to make pointer equality work.
Windows link.exe enables /OPT:ICF by default so different inline functions may
have the same address.)
// a.cc -> a.o -> a.so (-Bsymbolic-functions) inline void f() {} void *g() { return (void *)&f; } // b.cc -> b.o -> exe // The address is different! inline void f() {}
-Bsymbolic-non-weak-functions is a safer (C++ conforming) subset of
-Bsymbolic-functions, which can make the program work.
Implementations usually emit a vague linkage definition in a COMDAT group. We
could detect the group (with more code) but I feel that we should just check
STB_WEAK for simplicity. A weak definition will thus serve as an escape hatch
for rare cases when users want interposition on definitions.
GNU ld feature request: https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=27871
Longer write-up: https://maskray.me/blog/2021-05-16-elf-interposition-and-bsymbolic