Libtool

lastmod 2020-02-28created 2014-01-129 edits

Libtool is a GNU programming tool from the GNU build system, used to create compiled portable libraries. It is short for Library tool. Libtool is generally used together with Autoconf and Automake, which are also part of the GNU build system.

Merge archive

• Stackoverflow: How to merge two “ar” static libraries into one
• Stackoverflow: Combine static libraries

To merge several static archive files, do the following.

$ libtool -static -o libresult.a liba.a libb.a

Alternatively, you can use ar.

See also

• Library
• install_name_tool

Troubleshooting

libtoolize command not found

• Stackoverflow - installed libtool but libtoolize not found

If the libtoolize command cannot be found after installing libtool with brew on Mac OSX, use glibtoolize.

Libtool library used but LIBTOOL is undefined

• Stackoverflow - error: Libtool library used but 'LIBTOOL' is undefined
• Fixing Libtool library used but 'LIBTOOL' is undefined

You may get an error saying LIBTOOL is undefined.

Makefile.am:10: error: Libtool library used but 'LIBTOOL' is undefined
Makefile.am:10:   The usual way to define 'LIBTOOL' is to add 'LT_INIT'
Makefile.am:10:   to 'configure.ac' and run 'aclocal' and 'autoconf' again.
Makefile.am:10:   If 'LT_INIT' is in 'configure.ac', make sure
Makefile.am:10:   its definition is in aclocal's search pat

Simply check whether it is installed. On Ubuntu, install it as follows.

$ sudo apt-get install libtool

Rerun autoreconf.

$ autoreconf --install

If there is a problem with the macro file path, check it as follows.

$ aclocal --print-ac-dir

Favorite site

• Wikipedia (en) explanation of Libtool
• Libtool GNU Manual
• Making a shared object library with GNU Libtool