AIX: Create import library for executables with exports

On AIX, plugins meant to be loaded into executables via `dlopen` must be
linked with access to a list of symbols exported from the executable in
order to use them (when not using runtime linking).  The AIX linker
supports specifying this list as an "import file" passed on the command
line either via the `-bI:...` option or (with a leading `#! .` line) as
a normal input file like any other library file.

The linker import file plays the same role on AIX as import libraries do
on Windows.  Teach CMake to enable its import library abstraction on AIX
for executables with the `ENABLE_EXPORTS` target property set.  Teach
our internal `ExportImportList` script to optionally generate a leading
`#! .` line at the top of the generated export/import list.  Update our
rule for linking an executable with exports to generate a public-facing
"import library" implemented as an AIX linker import file.

With this approach, our existing infrastructure for handling import
libraries on Windows will now work for AIX linker import files too:

* Plugins that link to their executable's symbols will be automatically
  linked using the import file on the command line.

* The executable's import file will be (optionally) installed and
  exported for use in linking externally-built plugins.

This will allow executables and their plugins to build even if we later
turn off runtime linking.

Issue: #19163

1 files changed, 4 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/Help/manual/cmake-buildsystem.7.rst b/Help/manual/cmake-buildsystem.7.rst
index 8cd6e68..d8142a2 100644
--- a/Help/manual/cmake-buildsystem.7.rst
+++ b/Help/manual/cmake-buildsystem.7.rst
@@ -811,6 +811,10 @@ An *archive* output artifact of a buildsystem target may be:
   executable target created by the :command:`add_executable` command
   when its :prop_tgt:`ENABLE_EXPORTS` target property is set.
 
+* On AIX: the linker import file (e.g. ``.imp``) of an executable target
+  created by the :command:`add_executable` command when its
+  :prop_tgt:`ENABLE_EXPORTS` target property is set.
+
 The :prop_tgt:`ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY` and :prop_tgt:`ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_NAME`
 target properties may be used to control archive output artifact locations
 and names in the build tree.