ld.so

dynamic linker/loader

TLDR

Run with library path

$ LD_LIBRARY_PATH=[/path/to/libs] [program]

Preload library

$ LD_PRELOAD=[/path/to/lib.so] [program]

Debug loading

$ LD_DEBUG=libs [program]

Show search paths

$ ldconfig -p

Update library cache

$ sudo ldconfig

SYNOPSIS

ld.so / ld-linux.so is the dynamic linker

ld.so is the dynamic linker/loader. It loads shared libraries needed by programs at runtime.
The loader resolves symbols and handles library dependencies. Environment variables control its behavior.

PARAMETERS

LD_LIBRARY_PATH

Additional library directories.

LD_PRELOAD

Libraries to load first.

LD_DEBUG

Debug options (libs, reloc, files).

LD_TRACE_LOADED_OBJECTS

List dependencies (like ldd).

CAVEATS

Not directly invoked usually. Security implications of LD_PRELOAD. Ignored for setuid binaries.

HISTORY

ld.so is part of the glibc package, implementing dynamic linking for Linux executables.