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libtool — A generic library support script that hides the complexity of using shared libraries behind a consis

Submitted by: @import:tldr-pages·Mar 2, 2026·

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thatsupportcommandlibrarylibtoolcligenericscript

linux

Problem

How to use the libtool command: A generic library support script that hides the complexity of using shared libraries behind a consistent, portable interface. More information: <https://www.gnu.org/software/libtool/manual/libtool.html#Invoking-libtool>.

Solution

libtool — A generic library support script that hides the complexity of using shared libraries behind a consistent, portable interface. More information: <https://www.gnu.org/software/libtool/manual/libtool.html#Invoking-libtool>.

Compile a source file into a libtool object:

libtool {{[c|compile]}} gcc {{[-c|--compile]}} {{path/to/source.c}} {{[-o|--output]}} {{path/to/source.lo}}

Create a library or an executable:

libtool {{[l|link]}} gcc {{[-o|--output]}} {{path/to/library.lo}} {{path/to/source.lo}}

Automatically set the library path so that another program can use uninstalled libtool generated programs or libraries:

libtool {{[e|execute]}} gdb {{path/to/program}}

Install a shared library:

libtool {{[i|install]}} cp {{path/to/library.la}} {{path/to/installation_directory}}

Complete the installation of libtool libraries on the system:

libtool {{[f|finish]}} {{path/to/installation_directory}}

Delete installed libraries or executables:

libtool {{[u|uninstall]}} {{path/to/installed_library.la}}

Delete uninstalled libraries or executables:

libtool {{[cl|clean]}} rm {{path/to/source.lo}} {{path/to/library.la}}

Code Snippets

Compile a source file into a `libtool` object

libtool {{[c|compile]}} gcc {{[-c|--compile]}} {{path/to/source.c}} {{[-o|--output]}} {{path/to/source.lo}}

Create a library or an executable

libtool {{[l|link]}} gcc {{[-o|--output]}} {{path/to/library.lo}} {{path/to/source.lo}}

Automatically set the library path so that another program can use uninstalled `libtool` generated programs or libraries

libtool {{[e|execute]}} gdb {{path/to/program}}

Install a shared library

libtool {{[i|install]}} cp {{path/to/library.la}} {{path/to/installation_directory}}

Complete the installation of `libtool` libraries on the system

libtool {{[f|finish]}} {{path/to/installation_directory}}

Context

tldr-pages: linux/libtool

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