3.4.175 -xs[={yes|no}]

(Oracle Solaris) Link debug information from object files into executable.

-xs is the same as -xs=yes.

The default for -xdebugformat=dwarf is the same as -xs=yes.

The default for -xdebugformat=stabs is the same as -xs=no.

This option controls the trade-off of executable size versus the need to retain object files in order to debug. For dwarf, use -xs=no to keep the executable small but depend on the object files. For stabs, use -xs or -xs=yes to avoid dependence on the object files at the cost of a larger executable. This option has almost no effect on dbx performance or the runtime per formance of the program.

When the compile command forces linking (that is, -c is not specified) there will be no object file(s) and the debug information must be placed in the executable. In this case, -xs=no (implicit or explicit) will be ignored.

The feature is implemented by having the compiler adjust the section flags and/or section names in the object file that it emits, which then tells the linker what to do for that object file's debug information. It is therefore a compiler option, not a linker option. It is possible to have an executable with some object files compiled -xs=yes and others compiled -xs=no.

Linux compilers accept but ignore -xs. Linux compilers do not accept -xs={yes|no}.