Naming Conventions

A shared object follows a naming convention that includes a major number file suffix. See Naming Conventions. Within this shared object, one or more version definitions can be created. Each version definition corresponds to one of the following categories.

• It defines an industry-standard interface (for example, the System V Application Binary Interface).

• It defines a vendor-specific public interface.

• It defines a vendor-specific private interface.

• It defines a vendor-specific change to the internal implementation of the object.

The following version definition naming conventions help indicate which of these categories the definition represents.

The first three of these categories indicate interface definitions. These definitions consist of an association of the global symbol names that make up the interface, with a version definition name. See Creating a Version Definition. Interface changes within a shared object are often referred to as minor revisions. Therefore, version definitions of this type are suffixed with a minor version number, which is based on the file names major version number suffix.

The last category indicates a change having occurred within the object. This definition consists of a version definition acting as a label and has no symbol name associated with it. This definition is referred to as being a weak version definition. See Creating a Weak Version Definition. Implementation changes within a shared object are often referred to as micro revisions. Therefore, version definitions of this type are suffixed with a micro version number based on the previous minor number to which the internal changes have been applied.

Any industry standard interface should use a version definition name that reflects the standard. Any vendor interfaces should use a version definition name unique to that vendor. The company's stock symbol is often appropriate.

Private version definitions indicate symbols that have restricted or uncommitted use, and should have the word “private” clearly visible.

All version definitions result in the creation of associated version symbol names. The use of unique names and the minor/micro suffix convention reduces the chance of symbol collision within the object being built.

The following version definition examples show the possible use of these naming conventions.

SVABI.1

Defines the System V Application Binary Interface standards interface.

SUNW_1.1

Defines an Oracle Solaris OS public interface.

SUNWprivate_1.1

Defines an Oracle Solaris OS private interface.

SUNW_1.1.1

Defines an Oracle Solaris OS internal implementation change.