[Call for testers] "BSD ar"

[Kai Wang]

Hi David,

On Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 02:35:01AM -0800, David O'Brien wrote:
> Can your 'ar' handle multiple targets?

"BSD ar" only support ELF binaries.

> amd64$ ar --help
> ..snip..
> ar: supported targets: elf64-x86-64 elf32-i386-freebsd srec symbolsrec tekhex binary ihex

In this specific case, BSD ar can not handle S-Record, tekhex, iHex, etc.

> If not, I don't think its ready to be a Bintuils 'ar' replacement.

"BSD ar" never intends to completely replace Binutils 'ar'.  We only
want to give people an alternative. (which is self-sufficient,
suitable for use for FreeBSD to build itself, can build almost all the
ports, for example.)

BTW, It does have advantage in "multiple elf targets" though: In the
case above, this binutils 'ar' (build for amd64) can not handle
elf64-sparc64 or elf32-powerpc object files, while "BSD ar" can. (arch
independent)

--
Kai