File: libtool.info,  Node: Motivation,  Next: Issues,  Up: Introduction

1.1 Motivation for writing libtool
==================================

Since early 1995, several different GNU developers have recognized the
importance of having shared library support for their packages.  The
primary motivation for such a change is to encourage modularity and
reuse of code (both conceptually and physically) in GNU programs.

   Such a demand means that the way libraries are built in GNU packages
needs to be general, to allow for any library type the package installer
might want.  The problem is compounded by the absence of a standard
procedure for creating shared libraries on different platforms.

   The following sections outline the major issues facing shared library
support in GNU, and how shared library support could be standardized
with libtool.

   The following specifications were used in developing and evaluating
this system:

  1. The system must be as elegant as possible.

  2. The system must be fully integrated with the GNU Autoconf and
     Automake utilities, so that it will be easy for GNU maintainers to
     use.  However, the system must not require these tools, so that it
     can be used by non-GNU packages.

  3. Portability to other (non-GNU) architectures and tools is
     desirable.