libiberty.a question

[DJ Delorie]

> I am attemping to build binutils, but when I build a dpkg from the
> compiled src and install it, I get a conflict w/ GCC.

In general, the solution is to build the two packages in different
directories, so that they each use the libiberty they came with.

> Could someone please tell me what libiberty.a is used for?

Mostly, it is a portability library.

> Why does this pkg contain the same library as GCC?

Why not?  Why re-invent it for each package that needs it?  GDB uses
it also, as does cygwin and a few other packages.

> Which on is the correct one to use?

The one that comes with the sources you're trying to build.  If you
need to choose, choose the more recent one.