NAME

elf_hash − compute hash value

SYNOPSIS

cc [ flag ... ] file ... −lelf [ library ... ]

#include <libelf.h>

unsigned long elf_hash(const char ∗name);

MT-LEVEL

Unsafe

DESCRIPTION

elf_hash() computes a hash value, given a null terminated string, name. The returned hash value, h, can be used as a bucket index, typically after computing h mod x to ensure appropriate bounds. 

Hash tables may be built on one machine and used on another because elf_hash() uses unsigned arithmetic to avoid possible differences in various machines’ signed arithmetic.  Although name is shown as char∗ above, elf_hash() treats it as unsigned char∗ to avoid sign extension differences.  Using char∗ eliminates type conflicts with expressions such as elf_hash(name). 

ELF files’ symbol hash tables are computed using this function (see elf_getdata(3E) and elf32_xlatetof(3E)).  The hash value returned is guaranteed not to be the bit pattern of all ones (~0UL). 

SEE ALSO

elf(3E), elf_getdata(3E), elf32_xlatetof(3E)

SunOS 5.5  —  Last change: 22 Jan 1993