# Sections

An object file's section header table lets one locate all the file's sections. The section header table is an array of `Elf32_Shdr` or `Elf64_Shdr` structures as described below. A section header table index is a subscript into this array. The ELF header's `e_shoff` member gives the byte offset from the beginning of the file to the section header table. `e_shnum` normally tells how many entries the section header table contains. `e_shentsize` gives the size in bytes of each entry.

If the number of sections is greater than or equal to `SHN_LORESERVE` (`0xff00`), `e_shnum` has the value `SHN_UNDEF` (`0`) and the actual number of section header table entries is contained in the `sh_size` field of the section header at index `0` (otherwise, the `sh_size` member of the initial entry contains `0`).

Some section header table indexes are reserved in contexts where index size is restricted, for example, the `st_shndx` member of a symbol table entry and the `e_shnum` and `e_shstrndx` members of the ELF header. In such contexts, the reserved values do not represent actual sections in the object file. Also in such contexts, an escape value indicates that the actual section index is to be found elsewhere, in a larger field.

Figure 4-7: Special Section Indexes

Name | Value
--- | ---
`SHN_UNDEF` | `0`
`SHN_LORESERVE` | `0xff00`
`SHN_LOPROC` | `0xff00`
`SHN_HIPROC` | `0xff1f`
`SHN_LOOS` | `0xff20`
`SHN_HIOS` | `0xff3f`
`SHN_ABS` | `0xfff1`
`SHN_COMMON` | `0xfff2`
`SHN_XINDEX` | `0xffff`
`SHN_HIRESERVE` | `0xffff`

`SHN_UNDEF`
  This value marks an undefined, missing, irrelevant, or otherwise meaningless section reference. For example, a symbol ``defined'' relative to section number `SHN_UNDEF` is an undefined symbol.

Although index 0 is reserved as the undefined value, the section header table contains an entry for index 0. If the `e_shnum` member of the ELF header says a file has 6 entries in the section header table, they have the indexes 0 through 5. The contents of the initial entry are specified later in this section.

`SHN_LORESERVE`
  This value specifies the lower bound of the range of reserved indexes.

`SHN_LOPROC` through `SHN_HIPROC`
  Values in this inclusive range are reserved for processor-specific semantics.

`SHN_LOOS` through `SHN_HIOS`
  Values in this inclusive range are reserved for operating system-specific semantics.

`SHN_ABS`
  This value specifies absolute values for the corresponding reference. For example, symbols defined relative to section number `SHN_ABS` have absolute values and are not affected by relocation.

`SHN_COMMON`
  Symbols defined relative to this section are common symbols, such as FORTRAN `COMMON` or unallocated C external variables.

`SHN_XINDEX`
  This value is an escape value. It indicates that the actual section header index is too large to fit in the containing field and is to be found in another location (specific to the structure where it appears).

`SHN_HIRESERVE`
  This value specifies the upper bound of the range of reserved indexes. The system reserves indexes between `SHN_LORESERVE` and `SHN_HIRESERVE`, inclusive; the values do not reference the section header table. The section header table does not contain entries for the reserved indexes.

Sections contain all information in an object file except the ELF header, the program header table, and the section header table. Moreover, object files' sections satisfy several conditions.

- Every section in an object file has exactly one section header describing it. Section headers may exist that do not have a section.

- Each section occupies one contiguous (possibly empty) sequence of bytes within a file.

- Sections in a file may not overlap. No byte in a file resides in more than one section.

- An object file may have inactive space. The various headers and the sections might not ``cover'' every byte in an object file. The contents of the inactive data are unspecified.

A section header has the following structure.

    Figure 4-8: Section Header

    typedef struct {
    	Elf32_Word	sh_name;
    	Elf32_Word	sh_type;
    	Elf32_Word	sh_flags;
    	Elf32_Addr	sh_addr;
    	Elf32_Off	sh_offset;
    	Elf32_Word	sh_size;
    	Elf32_Word	sh_link;
    	Elf32_Word	sh_info;
    	Elf32_Word	sh_addralign;
    	Elf32_Word	sh_entsize;
    } Elf32_Shdr;

    typedef struct {
    	Elf64_Word	sh_name;
    	Elf64_Word	sh_type;
    	Elf64_Xword	sh_flags;
    	Elf64_Addr	sh_addr;
    	Elf64_Off	sh_offset;
    	Elf64_Xword	sh_size;
    	Elf64_Word	sh_link;
    	Elf64_Word	sh_info;
    	Elf64_Xword	sh_addralign;
    	Elf64_Xword	sh_entsize;
    } Elf64_Shdr;

`sh_name`
  This member specifies the name of the section. Its value is an index into the section header string table section [see ``String Table'' below], giving the location of a null-terminated string.

`sh_type`
  This member categorizes the section's contents and semantics. Section types and their descriptions appear below.

`sh_flags`
  Sections support 1-bit flags that describe miscellaneous attributes. Flag definitions appear below.

`sh_addr`
  If the section will appear in the memory image of a process, this member gives the address at which the section's first byte should reside. Otherwise, the member contains 0.

`sh_offset`
  This member's value gives the byte offset from the beginning of the file to the first byte in the section. One section type, `SHT_NOBITS` described below, occupies no space in the file, and its `sh_offset` member locates the conceptual placement in the file.

`sh_size`
  This member gives the section's size in bytes. Unless the section type is `SHT_NOBITS`, the section occupies `sh_size` bytes in the file. A section of type `SHT_NOBITS` may have a non-zero size, but it occupies no space in the file.

`sh_link`
  This member holds a section header table index link, whose interpretation depends on the section type. A table below describes the values.

`sh_info`
  This member holds extra information, whose interpretation depends on the section type. A table below describes the values. If the `sh_flags` field for this section header includes the attribute `SHF_INFO_LINK`, then this member represents a section header table index.

`sh_addralign`
  Some sections have address alignment constraints. For example, if a section holds a doubleword, the system must ensure doubleword alignment for the entire section. The value of `sh_addr` must be congruent to 0, modulo the value of `sh_addralign`. Currently, only 0 and positive integral powers of two are allowed. Values 0 and 1 mean the section has no alignment constraints.

`sh_entsize`
  Some sections hold a table of fixed-size entries, such as a symbol table. For such a section, this member gives the size in bytes of each entry. The member contains 0 if the section does not hold a table of fixed-size entries.

A section header's `sh_type` member specifies the section's semantics.

Figure 4-9: Section Types,`sh_type`

Name | Value
--- | ---
`SHT_NULL` | `0`
`SHT_PROGBITS` | `1`
`SHT_SYMTAB` | `2`
`SHT_STRTAB` | `3`
`SHT_RELA` | `4`
`SHT_HASH` | `5`
`SHT_DYNAMIC` | `6`
`SHT_NOTE` | `7`
`SHT_NOBITS` | `8`
`SHT_REL` | `9`
`SHT_SHLIB` | `10`
`SHT_DYNSYM` | `11`
`SHT_INIT_ARRAY` | `14`
`SHT_FINI_ARRAY` | `15`
`SHT_PREINIT_ARRAY` | `16`
`SHT_GROUP` | `17`
`SHT_SYMTAB_SHNDX` | `18`
`SHT_LOOS` | `0x60000000`
`SHT_HIOS` | `0x6fffffff`
`SHT_LOPROC` | `0x70000000`
`SHT_HIPROC` | `0x7fffffff`
`SHT_LOUSER` | `0x80000000`
`SHT_HIUSER` | `0xffffffff`

`SHT_NULL`
  This value marks the section header as inactive; it does not have an associated section. Other members of the section header have undefined values.

`SHT_PROGBITS`
  The section holds information defined by the program, whose format and meaning are determined solely by the program.

`SHT_SYMTAB` and `SHT_DYNSYM`
  These sections hold a symbol table. Currently, an object file may have only one section of each type, but this restriction may be relaxed in the future. Typically, `SHT_SYMTAB` provides symbols for link editing, though it may also be used for dynamic linking. As a complete symbol table, it may contain many symbols unnecessary for dynamic linking. Consequently, an object file may also contain a `SHT_DYNSYM` section, which holds a minimal set of dynamic linking symbols, to save space. See ``Symbol Table'' below for details.

`SHT_STRTAB`
  The section holds a string table. An object file may have multiple string table sections. See ``String Table'' below for details.

`SHT_RELA`
  The section holds relocation entries with explicit addends, such as type `Elf32_Rela` for the 32-bit class of object files or type `Elf64_Rela` for the 64-bit class of object files. An object file may have multiple relocation sections. ``Relocation'' below for details.

`SHT_HASH`
  The section holds a symbol hash table. Currently, an object file may have only one hash table, but this restriction may be relaxed in the future. See ``Hash Table'' in the Chapter 5 for details.

`SHT_DYNAMIC`
  The section holds information for dynamic linking. Currently, an object file may have only one dynamic section, but this restriction may be relaxed in the future. See ``Dynamic Section'' in Chapter 5 for details.

`SHT_NOTE`
  The section holds information that marks the file in some way. See ``Note Section'' in Chapter 5 for details.

`SHT_NOBITS`
  A section of this type occupies no space in the file but otherwise resembles `SHT_PROGBITS`. Although this section contains no bytes, the `sh_offset` member contains the conceptual file offset.

`SHT_REL`
  The section holds relocation entries without explicit addends, such as type `Elf32_Rel` for the 32-bit class of object files or type `Elf64_Rel` for the 64-bit class of object files. An object file may have multiple relocation sections. See ``Relocation'' below for details.

`SHT_SHLIB`
  This section type is reserved but has unspecified semantics.

`SHT_INIT_ARRAY`
  This section contains an array of pointers to initialization functions, as described in ``Initialization and Termination Functions'' in Chapter 5. Each pointer in the array is taken as a parameterless procedure with a void return.

`SHT_FINI_ARRAY`
  This section contains an array of pointers to termination functions, as described in ``Initialization and Termination Functions'' in Chapter 5. Each pointer in the array is taken as a parameterless procedure with a void return.

`SHT_PREINIT_ARRAY`
  This section contains an array of pointers to functions that are invoked before all other initialization functions, as described in ``Initialization and Termination Functions'' in Chapter 5. Each pointer in the array is taken as a parameterless procedure with a void return.

`SHT_GROUP`
  This section defines a section group. A section group is a set of sections that are related and that must be treated specially by the linker (see below for further details). Sections of type `SHT_GROUP` may appear only in relocatable objects (objects with the ELF header `e_type` member set to `ET_REL`). The section header table entry for a group section must appear in the section header table before the entries for any of the sections that are members of the group.

`SHT_SYMTAB_SHNDX`
  This section is associated with a section of type `SHT_SYMTAB` and is required if any of the section header indexes referenced by that symbol table contain the escape value `SHN_XINDEX`. The section is an array of `Elf32_Word` values. Each value corresponds one to one with a symbol table entry and appear in the same order as those entries. The values represent the section header indexes against which the symbol table entries are defined. Only if corresponding symbol table entry's `st_shndx` field contains the escape value `SHN_XINDEX` will the matching `Elf32_Word` hold the actual section header index; otherwise, the entry must be `SHN_UNDEF` (`0`).

`SHT_LOOS` through `SHT_HIOS`
  Values in this inclusive range are reserved for operating system-specific semantics.

`SHT_LOPROC` through `SHT_HIPROC`
  Values in this inclusive range are reserved for processor-specific semantics.

`SHT_LOUSER`
  This value specifies the lower bound of the range of indexes reserved for application programs.

`SHT_HIUSER`
  This value specifies the upper bound of the range of indexes reserved for application programs. Section types between `SHT_LOUSER` and `SHT_HIUSER` may be used by the application, without conflicting with current or future system-defined section types.

Other section type values are reserved. As mentioned before, the section header for index 0 (`SHN_UNDEF`) exists, even though the index marks undefined section references. This entry holds the following.

Figure 4-10: Section Header Table Entry:Index 0

Name | Value | Note
--- | --- | ---
`sh_name` | `0` | No name
`sh_type` | `SHT_NULL` | Inactive
`sh_flags` | `0` | No flags
`sh_addr` | `0` | No address
`sh_offset` | `0` | No offset
`sh_size` | Unspecified | If non-zero, the actual number of section header entries
`sh_link` | Unspecified | If non-zero, the index of the section header string table section
`sh_info` | `0` | No auxiliary information
`sh_addralign` | `0` | No alignment
`sh_entsize` | `0` | No entries

A section header's `sh_flags` member holds 1-bit flags that describe the section's attributes. Defined values appear in the following table; other values are reserved.

Figure 4-11: Section Attribute Flags

Name | Value
--- | ---
`SHF_WRITE` | `0x1`
`SHF_ALLOC` | `0x2`
`SHF_EXECINSTR` | `0x4`
`SHF_MERGE` | `0x10`
`SHF_STRINGS` | `0x20`
`SHF_INFO_LINK` | `0x40`
`SHF_LINK_ORDER` | `0x80`
`SHF_OS_NONCONFORMING` | `0x100`
`SHF_GROUP` | `0x200`
`SHF_TLS` | `0x400`
`SHF_MASKOS` | `0x0ff00000`
`SHF_MASKPROC` | `0xf0000000`

If a flag bit is set in `sh_flags`, the attribute is ``on'' for the section. Otherwise, the attribute is ``off'' or does not apply. Undefined attributes are set to zero.

`SHF_WRITE`
  The section contains data that should be writable during process execution.

`SHF_ALLOC`
  The section occupies memory during process execution. Some control sections do not reside in the memory image of an object file; this attribute is off for those sections.

`SHF_EXECINSTR`
  The section contains executable machine instructions.

`SHF_MERGE`
  The data in the section may be merged to eliminate duplication. Unless the `SHF_STRINGS` flag is also set, the data elements in the section are of a uniform size. The size of each element is specified in the section header's `sh_entsize` field. If the `SHF_STRINGS` flag is also set, the data elements consist of null-terminated character strings. The size of each character is specified in the section header's `sh_entsize` field.

  Each element in the section is compared against other elements in sections with the same name, type and flags. Elements that would have identical values at program run-time may be merged. Relocations referencing elements of such sections must be resolved to the merged locations of the referenced values. Note that any relocatable values, including values that would result in run-time relocations, must be analyzed to determine whether the run-time values would actually be identical. An ABI-conforming object file may not depend on specific elements being merged, and an ABI-conforming link editor may choose not to merge specific elements.

`SHF_STRINGS`
  The data elements in the section consist of null-terminated character strings. The size of each character is specified in the section header's `sh_entsize` field.

`SHF_INFO_LINK`
  The `sh_info` field of this section header holds a section header table index.

`SHF_LINK_ORDER`
  This flag adds special ordering requirements for link editors. The requirements apply if the `sh_link` field of this section's header references another section (the linked-to section). If this section is combined with other sections in the output file, it must appear in the same relative order with respect to those sections, as the linked-to section appears with respect to sections the linked-to section is combined with.

  A typical use of this flag is to build a table that references text or data sections in address order.

`SHF_OS_NONCONFORMING`
  This section requires special OS-specific processing (beyond the standard linking rules) to avoid incorrect behavior. If this section has either an `sh_type` value or contains `sh_flags` bits in the OS-specific ranges for those fields, and a link editor processing this section does not recognize those values, then the link editor should reject the object file containing this section with an error.

`SHF_GROUP`
  This section is a member (perhaps the only one) of a section group. The section must be referenced by a section of type `SHT_GROUP`. The `SHF_GROUP` flag may be set only for sections contained in relocatable objects (objects with the ELF header `e_type` member set to `ET_REL`). See below for further details.

`SHF_TLS`
  This section holds Thread-Local Storage, meaning that each separate execution flow has its own distinct instance of this data. Implementations need not support this flag.

`SHF_MASKOS`
  All bits included in this mask are reserved for operating system-specific semantics.

`SHF_MASKPROC`
  All bits included in this mask are reserved for processor-specific semantics. If meanings are specified, the processor supplement explains them.

Two members in the section header, `sh_link` and `sh_info`, hold special information, depending on section type.

Figure 4-12: `sh_link` and `sh_info` Interpretation

`sh_type` | `sh_link` | `sh_info`
--- | --- | ---
`SHT_DYNAMIC` | The section header index of the string table used by entries in the section. | `0`
`SHT_HASH` | The section header index of the symbol table to which the hash table applies. | `0`
`SHT_REL` `SHT_RELA` | The section header index of the associated symbol table. | The section header index of the section to which the relocation applies.
`SHT_SYMTAB` `SHT_DYNSYM` | The section header index of the associated string table. | One greater than the symbol table index of the last local symbol (binding `STB_LOCAL`).
`SHT_GROUP` | The section header index of the associated symbol table. | The symbol table index of an entry in the associated symbol table. The name of the specified symbol table entry provides a signature for the section group.
`SHT_SYMTAB_SHNDX` | The section header index of the associated symbol table section. | `0`

## Rules for Linking Unrecognized Sections

If a link editor encounters sections whose headers contain OS-specific values it does not recognize in the `sh_type` or `sh_flags` fields, the link editor should combine those sections as described below.

If the section's `sh_flags` bits include the attribute `SHF_OS_NONCONFORMING`, then the section requires special knowledge to be correctly processed, and the link editor should reject the object containing the section with an error.

Unrecognized sections that do not have the `SHF_OS_NONCONFORMING` attribute, are combined in a two-phase process. As the link editor combines sections using this process, it must honor the alignment constraints of the input sections (asserted by the `sh_addralign` field), padding between sections with zero bytes, if necessary, and producing a combination with the maximum alignment constraint of its component input sections.

1. In the first phase, input sections that match in name, type and attribute flags should be concatenated into single sections. The concatenation order should satisfy the requirements of any known input section attributes (e.g, `SHF_MERGE` and `SHF_LINK_ORDER`). When not otherwise constrained, sections should be emitted in input order.
2. In the second phase, sections should be assigned to segments or other units based on their attribute flags. Sections of each particular unrecognized type should be assigned to the same unit unless prevented by incompatible flags, and within a unit, sections of the same unrecognized type should be placed together if possible.

Non OS-specific processing (e.g. relocation) should be applied to unrecognized section types. An output section header table, if present, should contain entries for unknown sections. Any unrecognized section attribute flags should be removed.

It is recommended that link editors follow the same two-phase ordering approach described above when linking sections of known types. Padding between such sections may have values different from zero, where appropriate.

## Section Groups

Some sections occur in interrelated groups. For example, an out-of-line definition of an inline function might require, in addition to the section containing its executable instructions, a read-only data section containing literals referenced, one or more debugging information sections and other informational sections. Furthermore, there may be internal references among these sections that would not make sense if one of the sections were removed or replaced by a duplicate from another object. Therefore, such groups must be included or omitted from the linked object as a unit. A section cannot be a member of more than one group.

A section of type `SHT_GROUP` defines such a grouping of sections. The name of a symbol from one of the containing object's symbol tables provides a signature for the section group. The section header of the `SHT_GROUP` section specifies the identifying symbol entry, as described above: the `sh_link` member contains the section header index of the symbol table section that contains the entry. The `sh_info` member contains the symbol table index of the identifying entry. The `sh_flags` member of the section header contains `0`. The name of the section (`sh_name`) is not specified.

The referenced signature symbol is not restricted. Its containing symbol table section need not be a member of the group, for example.

The section data of a `SHT_GROUP` section is an array of `Elf32_Word` entries. The first entry is a flag word. The remaining entries are a sequence of section header indices.

The following flags are currently defined:

Figure 4-13: Section Group Flags

Name | Value
--- | ---
`GRP_COMDAT` | `0x1`
`GRP_MASKOS` | `0x0ff00000`
`GRP_MASKPROC` | `0xf0000000`

`GRP_COMDAT`
  This is a COMDAT group. It may duplicate another COMDAT group in another object file, where duplication is defined as having the same group signature. In such cases, only one of the duplicate groups may be retained by the linker, and the members of the remaining groups must be discarded.

`GRP_MASKOS`
  All bits included in this mask are reserved for operating system-specific semantics.

`GRP_MASKPROC`
  All bits included in this mask are reserved for processor-specific semantics. If meanings are specified, the processor supplement explains them.

The section header indices in the `SHT_GROUP` section identify the sections that make up the group. Each such section must have the `SHF_GROUP` flag set in its `sh_flags` section header member. If the linker decides to remove the section group, it must remove all members of the group.

This requirement is not intended to imply that special case behavior like removing debugging information requires removing the sections to which that information refers, even if they are part of the same group.

To facilitate removing a group without leaving dangling references and with only minimal processing of the symbol table, the following rules must be followed:

- A symbol table entry with `STB_GLOBAL` or `STB_WEAK` binding that is defined relative to one of a group's sections, and that is contained in a symbol table section that is not part of the group, must be converted to an undefined symbol (its section index must be changed to `SHN_UNDEF`) if the group members are discarded. References to this symbol table entry from outside the group are allowed.

- A symbol table entry with `STB_LOCAL` binding that is defined relative to one of a group's sections, and that is contained in a symbol table section that is not part of the group, must be discarded if the group members are discarded. References to this symbol table entry from outside the group are not allowed.

- An undefined symbol that is referenced only from one or more sections that are part of a particular group, and that is contained in a symbol table section that is not part of the group, is not removed when the group members are discarded. In other words, the undefined symbol is not removed even if no references to that symbol remain.

- There may not be non-symbol references to the sections comprising a group from outside the group, for example, use of a group member's section header index in an `sh_link` or `sh_info` member.

## Special Sections

Various sections hold program and control information.

The following table shows sections that are used by the system and have the indicated types and attributes.

Figure 4-14: Special Sections

Name | Type | Attributes
--- | --- | ---
`.bss` | `SHT_NOBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE`
`.comment` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | none
`.data` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE`
`.data1` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE`
`.debug` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | none
`.dynamic` | `SHT_DYNAMIC` | see below
`.dynstr` | `SHT_STRTAB` | `SHF_ALLOC`
`.dynsym` | `SHT_DYNSYM` | `SHF_ALLOC`
`.fini` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_EXECINSTR`
`.fini_array` | `SHT_FINI_ARRAY` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE`
`.got` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | see below
`.hash` | `SHT_HASH` | `SHF_ALLOC`
`.init` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_EXECINSTR`
`.init_array` | `SHT_INIT_ARRAY` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE`
`.interp` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | see below
`.line` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | none
`.note` | `SHT_NOTE` | none
`.plt` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | see below
`.preinit_array` | `SHT_PREINIT_ARRAY` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE`
`.rel` name | `SHT_REL` | see below
`.rela` name | `SHT_RELA` | see below
`.rodata` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC`
`.rodata1` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC`
`.shstrtab` | `SHT_STRTAB` | none
`.strtab` | `SHT_STRTAB` | see below
`.symtab` | `SHT_SYMTAB` | see below
`.symtab_shndx` | `SHT_SYMTAB_SHNDX` | see below
`.tbss` | `SHT_NOBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE+SHF_TLS`
`.tdata` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE+SHF_TLS`
`.tdata1` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_WRITE+SHF_TLS`
`.text` | `SHT_PROGBITS` | `SHF_ALLOC+SHF_EXECINSTR`

`.bss`
  This section holds uninitialized data that contribute to the program's memory image. By definition, the system initializes the data with zeros when the program begins to run. The section occupies no file space, as indicated by the section type, `SHT_NOBITS`.

`.comment`
  This section holds version control information.

`.data` and `.data1`
  These sections hold initialized data that contribute to the program's memory image.

`.debug`
  This section holds information for symbolic debugging. The contents are unspecified. All section names with the prefix `.debug` are reserved for future use in the ABI.

`.dynamic`
  This section holds dynamic linking information. The section's attributes will include the `SHF_ALLOC` bit. Whether the `SHF_WRITE` bit is set is processor specific. See Chapter 5 for more information.

`.dynstr`
  This section holds strings needed for dynamic linking, most commonly the strings that represent the names associated with symbol table entries. See Chapter 5 for more information.

`.dynsym`
  This section holds the dynamic linking symbol table, as described in ``Symbol Table''. See Chapter 5 for more information.

`.fini`
  This section holds executable instructions that contribute to the process termination code. That is, when a program exits normally, the system arranges to execute the code in this section.

`.fini_array`
  This section holds an array of function pointers that contributes to a single termination array for the executable or shared object containing the section.

`.got`
  This section holds the global offset table. See ``Coding Examples'' in Chapter 3, ``Special Sections'' in Chapter 4, and ``Global Offset Table'' in Chapter 5 of the processor supplement for more information.

`.hash`
  This section holds a symbol hash table. See ``Hash Table'' in Chapter 5 for more information.

`.init`
  This section holds executable instructions that contribute to the process initialization code. When a program starts to run, the system arranges to execute the code in this section before calling the main program entry point (called `main` for C programs).

`.init_array`
  This section holds an array of function pointers that contributes to a single initialization array for the executable or shared object containing the section.

`.interp`
  This section holds the path name of a program interpreter. If the file has a loadable segment that includes relocation, the sections' attributes will include the `SHF_ALLOC` bit; otherwise, that bit will be off. See Chapter 5 for more information.

`.line`
  This section holds line number information for symbolic debugging, which describes the correspondence between the source program and the machine code. The contents are unspecified.

`.note`
  This section holds information in the format that ``Note Section''. in Chapter 5 describes.

`.plt`
  This section holds the procedure linkage table. See ``Special Sections'' in Chapter 4 and ``Procedure Linkage Table'' in Chapter 5 of the processor supplement for more information.

`.preinit_array`
  This section holds an array of function pointers that contributes to a single pre-initialization array for the executable or shared object containing the section.

`.rel` name and `.rela` name
  These sections hold relocation information, as described in ``Relocation''. If the file has a loadable segment that includes relocation, the sections' attributes will include the `SHF_ALLOC` bit; otherwise, that bit will be off. Conventionally, name is supplied by the section to which the relocations apply. Thus a relocation section for `.text` normally would have the name `.rel.text` or `.rela.text`.

`.rodata` and `.rodata1`
  These sections hold read-only data that typically contribute to a non-writable segment in the process image. See ``Program Header'' in Chapter 5 for more information.

`.shstrtab`
  This section holds section names.

`.strtab`
  This section holds strings, most commonly the strings that represent the names associated with symbol table entries. If the file has a loadable segment that includes the symbol string table, the section's attributes will include the `SHF_ALLOC` bit; otherwise, that bit will be off.

`.symtab`
  This section holds a symbol table, as ``Symbol Table''. in this chapter describes. If the file has a loadable segment that includes the symbol table, the section's attributes will include the `SHF_ALLOC` bit; otherwise, that bit will be off.

`.symtab_shndx`
  This section holds the special symbol table section index array, as described above. The section's attributes will include the `SHF_ALLOC` bit if the associated symbol table section does; otherwise that bit will be off.

`.tbss`
  This section holds uninitialized thread-local data that contribute to the program's memory image. By definition, the system initializes the data with zeros when the data is instantiated for each new execution flow. The section occupies no file space, as indicated by the section type, `SHT_NOBITS`. Implementations need not support thread-local storage.

`.tdata`
  This section holds initialized thread-local data that contributes to the program's memory image. A copy of its contents is instantiated by the system for each new execution flow. Implementations need not support thread-local storage.

`.text`
  This section holds the ``text,'' or executable instructions, of a program.

Section names with a dot (`.`) prefix are reserved for the system, although applications may use these sections if their existing meanings are satisfactory. Applications may use names without the prefix to avoid conflicts with system sections. The object file format lets one define sections not shown in the previous list. An object file may have more than one section with the same name.

Section names reserved for a processor architecture are formed by placing an abbreviation of the architecture name ahead of the section name. The name should be taken from the architecture names used for `e_machine`. For instance `.`FOO`.psect` is the `psect` section defined by the FOO architecture. Existing extensions are called by their historical names.

Pre-existing Extensions
`.sdata` | `.tdesc`
`.sbss` | `.lit4`
`.lit8` | `.reginfo`
`.gptab` | `.liblist`
`.conflict`

For information on processor-specific sections, see the ABI supplement for the desired processor.

© 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. All rights reserved.