[PATCH RFC] bfd/ELF: restrict file alignment for object files

[Nick Clifton]

Hi Jan,

>> For architectures with fixed instruction size(s) I think that we should
>> keep executable sections at least aligned to the correct size.  There are
>> cases where object files are loaded and executed without ever being fully
>> linked.  (I am thinking of kernel object files here - .ko - but there are
>> probably others as well).
> 
> I actually considered this as an option. Just that I found nowhere that
> this particular alignment was announced (for e.g. ia64 I take it that it
> would want to be 16, due to fixed-size insns being grouped into bundles
> of [typically] three insns, who individually have no sensible alignment
> at all).
> 
> Considering your kernel modules example, the concern might easily extend
> to data sections then as well, I guess. Hence my mentioning of "word
> size".

A fair point.  To be honest I am not sure how much the kernel cares about
alignments of any sections in .ko files.  But better to play safe is my
feeling.

Cheers
   Nick