CMAKE_LINKER_TYPEΒΆ

Added in version 3.29.

Specify which linker will be used for the link step.

This variable is used to initialize the LINKER_TYPE property on each target created by a call to add_library() or add_executable(). It is meaningful only for targets having a link step. If set, its value is also used by the try_compile() command.

Note

It is assumed that the linker specified is fully compatible with the default one the compiler would normally invoke. CMake will not do any option translation.

Linker types are case-sensitive and may only contain letters, numbers and underscores. Linker types defined in all uppercase are reserved for CMake's own built-in types. The pre-defined linker types are:

DEFAULT

This type corresponds to standard linking, essentially equivalent to the LINKER_TYPE target property not being set at all.

SYSTEM

Use the standard linker provided by the platform or toolchain. For example, this implies the Microsoft linker for all MSVC-compatible compilers. This type is supported for the following platform-compiler combinations:

  • Linux: GNU, Clang, LLVMFlang, NVIDIA, and Swift compilers.

  • Apple platforms: AppleClang, Clang, GNU, and Swift compilers.

  • Windows: MSVC, GNU, Clang, NVIDIA, and Swift compilers.

LLD

Use the LLVM linker. This type is supported for the following platform-compiler combinations:

  • Linux: GNU, Clang, LLVMFlang, NVIDIA, and Swift compilers.

  • Apple platforms: Clang, AppleClang, and Swift compilers.

  • Windows: GNU, Clang with MSVC-like front-end, Clang with GNU-like front-end, MSVC, NVIDIA with MSVC-like front-end, and Swift.

BFD

Use the GNU linker. This type is supported for the following platform-compiler combinations:

  • Linux: GNU, Clang, LLVMFlang, and NVIDIA compilers.

  • Windows: GNU, Clang with GNU-like front-end.

GOLD

Supported on Linux platform with GNU, Clang, LLVMFlang, NVIDIA, and Swift compilers.

MOLD

Use the mold linker. This type is supported on the following platform-compiler combinations:

  • Linux: GNU, Clang, LLVMFlang, and NVIDIA compilers.

  • Apple platforms: Clang and AppleClang compilers (acts as an alias to the sold linker).

SOLD

Use the sold linker. This type is only supported on Apple platforms with Clang and AppleClang compilers.

APPLE_CLASSIC

Use the Apple linker in the classic behavior (i.e. before Xcode 15.0). This type is only supported on Apple platforms with GNU, Clang, AppleClang, and Swift compilers.

MSVC

Use the Microsoft linker. This type is only supported on the Windows platform with MSVC, Clang with MSVC-like front-end, and Swift compilers.