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

2 files changed, 8 insertions, 2 deletions

diff --git a/Help/prop_tgt/ENABLE_EXPORTS.rst b/Help/prop_tgt/ENABLE_EXPORTS.rst
index daef78b..0b1064a 100644
--- a/Help/prop_tgt/ENABLE_EXPORTS.rst
+++ b/Help/prop_tgt/ENABLE_EXPORTS.rst
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ varies by platform:
 * On macOS, loadable modules link to the executable itself using the
   ``-bundle_loader`` flag.
 
+* On AIX, a linker "import file" is created along with the executable
+  to list the exported symbols for import when linking other targets.
+  Loadable modules link to the import file to get the symbols.
+
 * On other platforms, loadable modules are simply linked without
   referencing the executable since the dynamic loader will
   automatically bind symbols when the module is loaded.
diff --git a/Help/prop_tgt/IMPORTED_IMPLIB.rst b/Help/prop_tgt/IMPORTED_IMPLIB.rst
index 77fb552..c8b6fde 100644
--- a/Help/prop_tgt/IMPORTED_IMPLIB.rst
+++ b/Help/prop_tgt/IMPORTED_IMPLIB.rst
@@ -3,5 +3,7 @@ IMPORTED_IMPLIB
 
 Full path to the import library for an ``IMPORTED`` target.
 
-Set this to the location of the ``.lib`` part of a Windows DLL.  Ignored
-for non-imported targets.
+Set this to the location of the ``.lib`` part of a Windows DLL, or on
+AIX set it to an import file created for executables that export symbols
+(see the :prop_tgt:`ENABLE_EXPORTS` target property).
+Ignored for non-imported targets.