Why does solib_open do what it does?

[Kris Warkentin]

I'm looking at solib.c:solib_open() and as I go down the list:

   Search order:
1   * If path is absolute, look in SOLIB_ABSOLUTE_PREFIX.
2   * If path is absolute or relative, look for it literally (unmodified).
3   * Look in SOLIB_SEARCH_PATH.
4   * If available, use target defined search function.
5   * Look in inferior's $PATH.
6   * Look in inferior's $LD_LIBRARY_PATH.

I'm puzzled.  Why are we testing for the existence of solib_search_path
before checking 5 and 6?

cheers,

Kris