Loading object files at runtime

fft1976 · External Since: Jul 28, 2009 Posts: 1

Is there a library that allows loading object files (not shared
libraries) at runtime?

I'd like to load an object file that gets compiled after the process
starts and to call a function in it whose name and type are known in
advance.

I wonder if such functionality exists under Linux or Windows (32 or 64
bit).

Thanks

Joe Pfeiffer · External Since: Dec 21, 2004 Posts: 94

fft1976 <fft1976 RemoveThis @gmail.com> writes:

> Is there a library that allows loading object files (not shared
> libraries) at runtime?
>
> I'd like to load an object file that gets compiled after the process
> starts and to call a function in it whose name and type are known in
> advance.
>
> I wonder if such functionality exists under Linux or Windows (32 or 64
> bit).

dlopen() and friends would do it, except for your insistence that it not
be a .so file. Why not?
--
Klingon programs don't have parameters. They have arguments and win
them (Walter Bushell)

Loïc_Domaigné · External Since: Jul 28, 2009 Posts: 4

Good Morning,

> Is there a library that allows loading object files (not shared
> libraries) at runtime?
>
> I'd like to load an object file that gets compiled after the process
> starts and to call a function in it whose name and type are known in
> advance.
>
> I wonder if such functionality exists under Linux or Windows (32 or 64
> bit).

This is possible. However, you need to be able to resolve the symbol
addresses contained in the object at runtime (runtime binding). This
implies necessary using shared object. See for instance:
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-dynamic-libraries/index.html

HTH,
Loïc
--
My blog: http://www.domaigne.com/blog

“The best thing about a boolean is even if you are wrong, you are only
off by a bit.”

David Schwartz · External Since: Apr 29, 2007 Posts: 57

On Jul 28, 11:01 am, fft1976 <fft1... DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:

> Is there a library that allows loading object files (not shared
> libraries) at runtime?
>
> I'd like to load an object file that gets compiled after the process
> starts and to call a function in it whose name and type are known in
> advance.
>
> I wonder if such functionality exists under Linux or Windows (32 or 64
> bit).
>
> Thanks

On Linux, 'gcc -shared' can provide this functionality.

DS