Why is the `nm` utility named as such?

Question

2.1k views Asked by Catskul At 25 December 2024 at 18:05

The nm the utility to list symbols in a binary doesn't include in its documentation any explanation or clue of how it got to be named nm.

I imagine some of the long experienced UNIX developers can shed some light.

Why is the nm utility named as such?

There are 3 answers

MJB On 13 January 2012 at 23:06

Name symbols. Thus "nm" is the abbreviation chosen.

gpeche On 13 January 2012 at 23:07

**Fred Foo** · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-13 23:05:59

Fred Foo On 13 January 2012 at 23:05 BEST ANSWER

It's an abbreviation for "names" or "name list".

Nm prints the name list (symbol table) of each object file in the argument list.