cygcheck

cygcheck [options] [files...]

-c
    Check all installed packages against the Cygwin distribution server.

-d
    Display dependency information for specified files.

-l
    List all loaded DLLs (default if no other option is given).

-r
    Check for registry problems related to Cygwin.

-s
    Output system information including OS version, Cygwin version, and environment variables.

-v
    Verbose output; prints more detailed information.

-h
    Show help text and exit

[files...]
    List of files or directories to check.

cygcheck is a command-line utility included with Cygwin that examines Cygwin DLLs, executables, and other related files within a Cygwin environment. It's primary function is to verify the integrity of these files and to identify any missing or conflicting dependencies. This tool can be invaluable for troubleshooting problems arising from corrupted Cygwin installations, missing shared libraries, or version mismatches between Cygwin components. It helps you to diagnose issues within your Cygwin environment by listing dependencies, verifying DLL versions, and detecting conflicting DLLs. When run without arguments, cygcheck lists the Cygwin DLLs currently loaded in memory. It can also be used to analyze specific files or directories, providing a detailed report of their dependencies and any potential problems. The tool uses several flags that allow deep-diving into the file system.
The main purpose is diagnosing a broken Cygwin installation due to dependency errors.

cygcheck is specifically designed for the Cygwin environment and is not useful for checking dependencies of non-Cygwin executables or libraries. It requires a working Cygwin installation to function correctly.

cygcheck returns 0 on success, and a non-zero value on failure or if errors were detected.

cygcheck has been a standard component of the Cygwin distribution since its early days. It was developed to address the common problem of DLL dependency issues within the Cygwin environment. Over time, it has been enhanced with new features and options to improve its diagnostic capabilities. Its primary focus remains on helping users troubleshoot and resolve problems related to Cygwin installations and dependencies.

ldd(1)