4.3BSD - /usr/man/cat1/ranlib.0

RANLIB(1)                                                            RANLIB(1)


NAME
       ranlib - convert archives to random libraries

SYNOPSIS
       ranlib [ -t ] archive ...

DESCRIPTION
       Ranlib  converts  each archive to a form which the loader can load more
       rapidly.  Ranlib does  this  by  adding  a  table  of  contents  called
       __.SYMDEF to the beginning of the archive.  Ranlib uses ar(1) to recon‐
       struct the archive, so that sufficient temporary  file  space  must  be
       available in the file system which contains the current directory.

       If given the -t option, ranlib only "touches" the archives and does not
       modify them.  This is useful after copying an archive or using  the  -t
       option of make(1) in order to avoid having ld(1) complain about an “out
       of date” symbol table.

SEE ALSO
       ld(1), ar(1), lorder(1), make(1)

BUGS
       Because generation of a library by ar and randomization of the  library
       by  ranlib  are  separate  processes,  phase  errors are possible.  The
       loader, ld, warns when the modification  date  of  a  library  is  more
       recent  than  the creation date of its dictionary;  but this means that
       you get the warning even if you only copy the library.


7th Edition                       May 3, 1985                        RANLIB(1)