What are good practices regarding shared libraries on Linux?

Question

I recently read a lot about shared libraries on Linux, and here is what I learnt:

• A shared library should embed a soname including its major version number. Something like: libfoo.so.1
• Its real filename should also include a minor version number. Something like: libfoo.so.1.0
• When the library file is copied to, say /usr/local/lib, if ldconfig is run, it will read the soname and create a symlink named libfoo.so.1 pointing to libfoo.so.1.0.
• If one wants to use this library for its developments it should first create a symlink without any version number to the real file, say libfoo.so pointing to libfoo.so.1.0. This is usually done by the development package (when the library is packaged).

Is this correct ?

Answer 1

Suggested reading:

Ulrich Drepper's How to write shared libraries: http://www.akkadia.org/drepper/dsohowto.pdf

Ulrich Drepper's Good Practices in library design, implementation, and maintenance: http://www.akkadia.org/drepper/goodpractice.pdf

dsohowto is much more detailed. goodpractice is a quick read.