Symbols in libs

[Torbak]

I got some question about symbols in libraries ...

In libraries, there is public symbols and "not public" symbols
(private, static)... In C when we use the "static" keyword on the
declaration of a function, the function is not public in the library.

1- When I use a class, all is symbols are put in the public section of
the library. How can I change that. The keyword "private" in a class
is only for the langage or does it change (like "static") something in
libs ? Even in object file ?

2- Even symbols which are not "static" have there decorated name in
the library. (I use bindump to check that). How can I avoid that for
the private functions of my lib ?
What COFF is use for then ?

3- The keyword "static" is used to keep the use of something in the
file scope. If my lib is composed from many object file, how can I
"hide" private functions ?

Does somebody know how I can get a good documentation about library
files ?
Thanks

 

[John Harrison]

I got some question about symbols in libraries ...

The C++ language does not specify how symbols in libraries should work.

In libraries, there is public symbols and "not public" symbols
(private, static)... In C when we use the "static" keyword on the
declaration of a function, the function is not public in the library.

1- When I use a class, all is symbols are put in the public section of
the library. How can I change that. The keyword "private" in a class
is only for the langage or does it change (like "static") something in
libs ? Even in object file ?

Only for the language I guess. Consider a class split across two libraries.
If the private symbols where hidden somehow, how would a member function in
one library call a member function in the other.

2- Even symbols which are not "static" have there decorated name in
the library. (I use bindump to check that). How can I avoid that for
the private functions of my lib ?

This is not a language issue, consult your compiler docs.

What COFF is use for then ?

What is COFF, an object file format I think? Off topic on comp.lang.c++
anyway.

3- The keyword "static" is used to keep the use of something in the
file scope. If my lib is composed from many object file, how can I
"hide" private functions ?

Again the C++ language says nothing about symbols in libraries. Look to your
platform for a solution, it may not exist.

Does somebody know how I can get a good documentation about library
files ?

Try google.

Thanks

john