/meson-static-library-debug

Test repository comparing meson static libraries to CMake static libraries in the arm-none-eabi compiler due to an unknown issue occuring in meson

Primary LanguageC

Meson Static Library Conundrum

This repo exists to try to help isolate an issue I'm seeing with static libraries with the arm-none-eabi toolchain.

System Information

  • Host system info: 
    Operating System: Fedora Linux 37 (Workstation Edition)
    CPE OS Name: cpe:/o:fedoraproject:fedora:37
        Kernel: Linux 6.4.12-100.fc37.x86_64
    Architecture: x86-64
Hardware Vendor: Lenovo
Hardware Model: ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
Firmware Version: N3AET72W (1.37 )
  • Compiler: gcc-arm-none-eabi: 10.3-2021.10
  • Compiling for target: STM32F750N8

The Problem

  • I've created a very simple "blinky" test app that utilizes ST Micro's HAL to startup the MCU, and blink an LED
  • The directory structure is very simple:
    • src/main.c - My blinky code
    • src/hal/* - STM supplied HAL with startup assembly, drivers, etc.
  • If you go to the build file for the HAL i've writen: src/hal/meson.build you will see a critical code block:
############### Does NOT work ###############
lib_hal = static_library('hal',
    hal_srcs,
    include_directories: hal_incdirs,
    install: false,
    build_by_default: false,
    c_args: compile_args
)

hal_dep = declare_dependency(
    include_directories: hal_incdirs,
    link_with: lib_hal,
    compile_args: compile_args
)
#############################################

################# Works #################
# hal_dep = declare_dependency(
#     include_directories: hal_incdirs,
#     sources: hal_srcs,
#     compile_args: compile_args
# )
#########################################
  • It's relatively self explanatory, when a dependency is added with raw sources, everything works fine
  • However, when HAL is instead compiled as a static library, and then linked in, things go awry
  • Specifically, the ISR routines don't seem to work, and examining a diff of objdump -x between the two binaries it seems that things are getting put at slightly different locations when the HAL is a static library

CMake Comparison

  • CMake files also exist in this repo to demonstrate that building the HAL as a static library using CMake (also with ninja as a backend) works just fine
  • Interestingly, if you diff objdump -x for the working meson .elf file (no static library) and the cmake .elf file you'll see all symbols are at the exact same location!
  • So something specifically is happening in how meson is handling the static library...

Replication Info

  • Commands for building using meson:
    • meson setup --wipe --cross-file meson/cross/STM32F750xx.txt buildresults
    • meson compile -C buildresults
  • Commands for building using CMake:
    • cmake -B build -S . --preset default
    • cmake --build --preset build
  • Flashing to device:
    • Only relevant if you have this MCU laying around which I understand is unlikely, but figured I would include it :)
    • meson compile -C buildresults/ flash_jlink
    • OR
    • cmake --build --preset flash