MSC multiple-definition bug or feature?

[Gertjan van Oosten]

In article <6215 at bunny.UUCP>, rhb6 at bunny.UUCP (Robert H. Barkan) writes:
> 
> In MSC 5.x, compile the following 2 files, then link x1.obj and y1.obj.
> The linker should complain because "int x" is multiply defined:

Then follows a description of some source, etc. leading to the exposure
of a linker bug. 

I have another one for you: 

In one C file, I had the following (external) declaration: 
static int x; 

In another C file, I had: 
extern int x; 

Compilation and linkage produced no "Unresolved external" message!!!!! 
How nice of Microsoft.... 

I also tried this on four other machines. Here come the results, fasten 
seatbelts and refrain from smoking: 
A 3B1 running System V version 3.5: 
      No linker error message; however, lint complains about "Used but not 
      defined". 
A Microdutch running System V Release 2 X/OPEN: 
      No linker error message; however, lint complains about "Used but not 
      defined". 
A VAX running 4.3 BSD: 
      Linker produces error message; lint complains. 
A PDP-11/73 running ULTRIX-11: 
      !!!Linker produces error message; lint DOESN'T complain!!! 

So only 4.3 BSD functions correctly; that's ONE out of FIVE!!! 
Enough said... 

		  G. J. van Oosten

"When you come to me
 I'll question myself again
 Is this grip of life still my own?" - David Sylvian