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clinkerldunix-ar

Detect whether static library is a thin archive

When linking a static library as a thin archive the .o-files are not copied into the archive, but rather they are referenced with their relative path from the .a file.

How can I check if a given .a file is a thin archive or not?

Solution

  • How can I check if a given .a file is a thin archive or not?

    head -1 t.a 
!<thin>

    Eventually, file(1) should be able to tell you. My file-5.09 just says data.