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libNAME.so is the filename used by the compiler/linker when first looking for a library specified by -lNAME. Inside a shared library file is a field called the SONAME. This field is set when the library itself is first linked into a shared object (so) by the build process. This SONAME is actually what a linker stores in an executable depending on that shared object is linked with it. Normally the SONAME is in the form of libNAME.so.MAJOR and is changed anytime the library becomes incompatible with existing executables linked to it and both major versions of the library can be kept installed as needed (though only one will be pointed to for development as libNAME.so) Also, to support easily upgrading between minor versions of a library, libNAME.so.MAJOR is normally a link to a file like libNAME.so.MAJOR.MINOR. A new minor version can be installed and once completed, the link to the old minor version is bumped to point to the new minor version immediately upgrading all new executions to use the upgraded library. Also, see my answer to Linux, GNU GCC, ld, version scripts and the ELF binary format -- How does it work?Linux, GNU GCC, ld, version scripts and the ELF binary format -- How does it work?

libNAME.so is the filename used by the compiler/linker when first looking for a library specified by -lNAME. Inside a shared library file is a field called the SONAME. This field is set when the library itself is first linked into a shared object (so) by the build process. This SONAME is actually what a linker stores in an executable depending on that shared object is linked with it. Normally the SONAME is in the form of libNAME.so.MAJOR and is changed anytime the library becomes incompatible with existing executables linked to it and both major versions of the library can be kept installed as needed (though only one will be pointed to for development as libNAME.so) Also, to support easily upgrading between minor versions of a library, libNAME.so.MAJOR is normally a link to a file like libNAME.so.MAJOR.MINOR. A new minor version can be installed and once completed, the link to the old minor version is bumped to point to the new minor version immediately upgrading all new executions to use the upgraded library. Also, see my answer to Linux, GNU GCC, ld, version scripts and the ELF binary format -- How does it work?

libNAME.so is the filename used by the compiler/linker when first looking for a library specified by -lNAME. Inside a shared library file is a field called the SONAME. This field is set when the library itself is first linked into a shared object (so) by the build process. This SONAME is actually what a linker stores in an executable depending on that shared object is linked with it. Normally the SONAME is in the form of libNAME.so.MAJOR and is changed anytime the library becomes incompatible with existing executables linked to it and both major versions of the library can be kept installed as needed (though only one will be pointed to for development as libNAME.so) Also, to support easily upgrading between minor versions of a library, libNAME.so.MAJOR is normally a link to a file like libNAME.so.MAJOR.MINOR. A new minor version can be installed and once completed, the link to the old minor version is bumped to point to the new minor version immediately upgrading all new executions to use the upgraded library. Also, see my answer to Linux, GNU GCC, ld, version scripts and the ELF binary format -- How does it work?

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penguin359
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libNAME.so is the filename used by the compiler/linker when first looking for a library specified by -lNAME. Inside a shared library file is a field called the SONAME. This field is set when the library itself is first linked into a shared object (so) by the build process. This SONAME is actually what a linker stores in an executable depending on that shared object is linked with it. Normally the SONAME is in the form of libNAME.so.MAJOR and is changed anytime the library becomes incompatible with existing executables linked to it and both major versions of the library can be kept installed as needed (though only one will be pointed to for development as libNAME.so) Also, to support easily upgrading between minor versions of a library, libNAME.so.MAJOR is normally a link to a file like libNAME.so.MAJOR.MINOR. A new minor version can be installed and once completed, the link to the old minor version is bumped to point to the new minor version immediately upgrading all new executions to use the upgraded library. Also, see my answer to Linux, GNU GCC, ld, version scripts and the ELF binary format -- How does it work?