Question

This would probably be achieved in the linking stage of the GCC compiler?
But are there any specific references on this stage?

Also, is there a tool that can perform code size reduction by knowing which pieces of code isn’t called?

Answer 1

You can compress the final size of your executable using tools like:

• UPX – Ultimate Packet for eXecutables (Great tool for shrinking any object code file e.g. .exe, .dll, .elf)

Here are a few references regarding stripping code during the gcc/ld compilation or linking phases:

• How to remove unused C/C++ symbols with GCC and ld?
• Dead code detection in legacy C/C++ project

So I imagine this has to be done on a code level and can’t be done on compiled code in the way that Java bytecode can be worked with…