sys@Nadc.ARPA (04/10/84)
The manual page for the "ld" command in 4.1 and 4.2 BSD specify under the "l" option that there are two search paths for libraries, /lib and /usr/lib. Further down, under FILES, it implies that a third path exists, /usr/local/lib. The source code reveals that there is indeed a third path. We are attempting to maintain upward compatible UNIX software. Can anyone (hopefully someone from the labs and from Berkeley) state whether this third path is specific to BSD and whether it is a feature which will be supported in future (4.2 and beyond) versions? If it is intended to be a standard feature, the manual page for the "l" option should be updated. Will someone with System V or other UNI*** also tell me whether this "feature" exists in other UNIX variations? We intend to use this as a means for average users to have a place to put default libraries. To do this, /usr/local/lib will need to be 777 permission. Does anyone see a security or other problem with this? Finally, if this is not a standard UNIX feature, how would normal users effectively specifiy a different directory to search for private libraries? I realize that a library can be specified in the "ld" command just as a ".o" file can--perhaps this is the method that was intended by the designers. Thanks for any help. I'll post responses if interest warrants. Jim Reece SYS@NADC