gelf_checksum - Man Page

compute the checksum for an ELF object file

Synopsis

#include <gelf.h>

long int gelf_checksum (Elf *elf);

Description

Compute a checksum for the ELF object file referred to by elf. This function acts as a wrapper around elf32_checksum() and elf64_checksum(). The binary class of elf is used to automatically select between elf32_checksum() and elf64_checksum().

The checksum is computed from permanent parts of the ELF file and the result is repeatable.  To be repeatable, strippable sections are not included in computing the checksum. SHT_NOBITS sections are also not included when computing the checksum.  The checksum can be used as a value for DT_CHECKSUM.

Parameters

elf

The ELF object file for which the checksum is to be computed.

Return Value

On success, return the computed checksum. On failure, return -1 and set elf_errno.  If elf is NULL then -1 is returned without setting elf_errno.

The checksum is always calculated as a 4-byte value. If long int is larger than 4 bytes, then the checksum will be extended by padding with zeros.

See Also

elf32_checksum(3), elf64_checksum(3), libelf(3), elf(5)

Attributes

InterfaceAttributeValue
gelf_checksum()Thread safetyMT-Safe

Reporting Bugs

Report bugs to <elfutils-devel@sourceware.org> or https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/.

Info

2025-12-31 Libelf Programmer's Manual